The 11th European Film Festival officially kicked off in Uzbekistan at the National Palace of Arts Cinema. Screenings during the festival will take place in Tashkent and Urgench.
The event is organized annually by the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Uzbekistan together with the Cinematographic Agency under the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan, with the support of embassies of EU member states, cultural institutions, and other European countries.
As is customary, the festival began with a press conference attended by the EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Toivo Klaar, and Matyakub Machanov, Chairman of the Creative Union of Cinematographers of Uzbekistan.
The program includes 11 films directed by filmmakers from Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, and Slovenia. The selection covers genres ranging from documentaries and psychological dramas to animation, biographical pictures, and romantic stories.
Screenings in Tashkent are scheduled from October 23 to 25 at the National Palace of Arts Cinema, formerly known as Panorama Cinema. On October 27, films will be shown in Urgench at the Khudoyargan Devonova Cinema.
During the festival, the British Council in Uzbekistan will also present a series of short films for students of the University of World Languages of Uzbekistan and in the MOK HUB cultural space.
Since its launch in 2013, the European Film Festival has become one of Uzbekistan's most anticipated cultural events. Over 120 films from almost all EU member states and other European countries have already been screened in nine regions of Uzbekistan, including Navoi, Nukus, Shahrisabz, Fergana, Jizzakh, and Bukhara.
EU Ambassador Toivo Klaar noted that the European Film Festival provides an opportunity to get to know Europe through stories reflecting the diversity of cultures and universal human values. He added that this year's expansion beyond Tashkent was a welcome tradition, contributing to cultural exchange with the regions of Uzbekistan. Klaar expressed gratitude to the Cinematographic Agency of Uzbekistan, the embassies of EU member states, and participating cultural organizations for their long-term partnership, which has made the festival a vibrant cultural event promoting dialogue between peoples through the universal language of cinema.
Matyakub Machanov emphasized that the European Film Festival is an important platform for intercultural dialogue and creative exchange. He stated that the festival gives Uzbek audiences a chance to better learn about the unique artistic approaches of European cinematography, as well as the life, values, and spiritual heritage of different peoples. Machanov is confident in the continuous development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and European countries in the field of cinematography, noting the importance of co-production, professional exchange, and promoting domestic films on the international stage. He invited everyone to participate in the 11th European Film Festival in Tashkent and Urgench.
The festival opened with the screening of the 2024 animated film 'Boat in the Garden' (Slocum et moi), a co-production from France and Luxembourg directed by Jean-François Lagionni. The film received the highest award at the Cartoons on the Bay festival and Pulcinella awards. It was also nominated for Best Animated Film at the International Animation Film Festival in Annecy and for the Lumière Award.
The film is set in the early 1950s in a coastal town where a young boy named François builds a sailboat in his family garden with his parents. This ambitious project inspires him to dream bigger, symbolizing the transition from childhood to youth.
Over the years, the European Film Festival has transformed into a platform for cultural initiatives aimed at uniting countries and people through cinema. The organizers thanked the embassies of Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, and Slovenia, as well as the French Institute and Goethe-Institut, for supporting the festival within the Team Europe initiative.