Abdul Hamid Hamid Al-Kba

Imagine closing your eyes for a second, only to find yourself strolling through the ancient alleys of Samarkand. Then, your eyes open to the sound of a camera rolling in a modern Tashkent studio, and suddenly, you’re under the spotlight at the Cannes Film Festival. This isn’t fantasy—it’s Uzbek cinema today: an art form carrying 128 years of heritage, now soaring on two wings: the Uzbek spirit and ambition. In 2023 alone, Uzbekistan produced 113 films, with 300% growth, won 56 international awards, and welcomed 300 directors from 52 countries to the Tashkent Film Festival. Behind these numbers lies the story of a nation that decided to write its history through the camera, with direct presidential support and the passion of a new generation that doesn’t imitate—it innovates. Let us take you on a swift, enjoyable, and inspiring journey through this enchanting world, where stories flow like the rivers of the Silk Road, uniting past and future in a single frame.Before Hollywood reached its zenith, Tashkent was already witnessing the region’s first film screening in 1897—just two years after the Lumière brothers’ presentation in Paris. In 1910, Khudoybergan Devonov carried Central Asia’s first movie camera, filming the Khiva Khan’s carriage despite religious prohibitions on depicting living beings, thus opening doors to document Khorezm’s ancient culture for the world. Milestones followed at an astonishing pace: in 1912, the first professional cinema opened in the Emirate of Bukhara under Emir Said Alim Khan; in 1924, Bukhino Studio was established in Bukhara, followed by Sharq Yulduzi in Tashkent, which became the nucleus of the legendary “Uzbekfilm.” By 1934, newsreel production began, paving the way for an era of organized creativity.Malik Kayumov emerged as the father of Uzbek documentary cinema, producing over 200 documentary and popular science films and building studios and creative clubs like the legendary cinema house and “Melodiya” studio. This People’s Artist of the Soviet Union, honored with titles such as “Hero of Labor” and “El Yurt Hurmati,” was not merely a creator but a true builder linking art to history. As for Kamara Kamalova, she founded the animation school as the country’s first female director, adding an artistic dimension that blends heritage with modernity. In 1945, the Tashkent State Institute of Theatrical Arts opened, becoming a platform for training talent, and the legendary “Yalla” troupe was born in 1968, where production was highly professional, with musicians like Manas Leviyev and Ikrom Akbarov composing symphonies for films, and director selection resembling the choosing of astronauts.With Uzbekistan’s independence in 1991, cinema underwent a qualitative shift, but the true boom arrived in the last decade, transforming it from mere entertainment into a mirror of national identity and social transformations. Today, Uzbek cinema is not “Hollywood of Asia”—it is a visual identity reflecting the people’s unique mindset, history, and lifestyle. Its secret lies in local flavor, as affirmed by Eldar Yuldashev, academic at the Uzbek Cinema Institute and founder of the Tashkent International Film Institute (VGIK): “If clichéd Hollywood films are produced, they won’t achieve success.” This flavor is what propelled films like Sunday by Shaker Khalikov, which premiered at the 2023 Shanghai Festival and won the Golden Goblet, beyond borders and catching the attention of global critics like Anton Dolin, who included it in his list of “five captivating new films by young Central Asian directors.”From The Whole Mahalla Is Talking About It (1960) to The Uzbek Girl (2023), the narrative evolves continuously, and recent years have witnessed rapid production growth, surpassing millions of local viewers in 2023 alone, with films covering diverse genres: from war drama to comedy and action. Here are the top five films that captivated millions, as confirmed by recent cultural reports, earning widespread acclaim from audiences for their deep stories and high-quality production:The Uzbek Girl (2023): A war drama directed by Akbar Bekturdiyev, telling the story of sniper Jamila during World War II. Nominated for “Best Film” at the Golden Humo Awards, it captured hearts with its powerful female lead.
Three Heroes (2024): A police action film by Shokhrukh Rasulov, narrating the story of three officers fighting crime in Tashkent. Earned multiple Golden Humo nominations for its daily thrills.
Istanbul Billionaire (2019): A comedy directed by Ozod Shams, shot in Istanbul in collaboration with Turkish filmmakers. Drew audiences with its hilarious adventures and shared cultural ties.
Baron (2016): An action film by Rustam Sadiev about a special agent combating drug smuggling. Uzbekistan’s first 4K film, it achieved massive turnout with its fast-paced scenes.
Rejected (2009): A family drama starring Umid Irgashev in his debut role, following a boy abandoned by his father. It enriched hearts with its profound emotional meaning.

These films are not the end of the list; global projects like “Khoja Nasriddin” with renowned director Timur Bekmambetov, Tashkent’s first international animation school in partnership with Russia’s “Bazelevs” company, and the series “School of Courage” about Paralympic champion Asila Mirzayorova highlight a focus on historical and inspirational heroes. Tourism films, shot with partners from Turkey, Russia, America, and Italy, also enhance Uzbekistan’s appeal as a cultural destination, making cinema a gateway to other sciences and arts.Since President Shavkat Mirziyoyev assumed power in 2016, he has transformed cinema into a national priority, supported by a presidential decree since 2017 that boosts production and government backing. This attention is not mere slogans; it’s real investments, such as electing the Uzbek Cinema Agency as chair of both the CIS Association and the Turkic World, partnerships with global media: over 500 news reports with Euronews, 30 segments and the documentary Spirit of Samarkand with CNN, plus funding for tourism-driven film projects. This support turns visions into reality, strengthening the cultural economy and building international bridges.Festivals grow ever brighter as platforms for connection and creativity, with the Tashkent “Pearl of the Silk Road” Festival—founded in 1958 and revived in 2021—becoming a symbol of openness. Its 15th edition in 2023 attracted over 300 directors from 52 countries and signed 10 cooperation memoranda, featuring contests like “Cinema in 5 Days” for youth and meetings with international guests. The 16th edition is scheduled for late September 2025, while Uzbekistan participated with a national pavilion at Cannes 76 (May 2023), screened its films in 14 countries, and hosted 11 nations in Tashkent, reinforcing ties and highlighting Uzbek excellence on the world stage.The achievements are unbelievable: in 2023, Uzbek films participated in 24 international festivals, winning 56 awards, 15 of them major. Among them: “On the Silk Road”, which took the Grand Prize at Tashkent 2021 and Spain’s “SOL” Festival; “Sunday” with the Golden Goblet in Shanghai; “The Dreamers” with a Cannes award; “Hot Bread” as Uzbekistan’s first Oscar submission in 2019; and “Cassette” by Timur Muradov, which toured the world winning in New York and Kustendorf upon invitation from Emir Kusturica. These successes confirm that films with Uzbek spirit, addressing the people’s identity, capture attention without imitation.And today in Tashkent, a young man sits before an old computer screen, editing a film about a grandfather he never met. His camera isn’t made of gold, but his story is worth more. These are the new makers of Uzbek cinema—not stars, but guardians of memory.Uzbek cinema is not just films—it’s a message. A message from a people who refuse oblivion and choose to tell their own story. From Devonov’s camera in 1910, to the Shanghai Goblet in 2023, and the Tashkent Festival in September 2025, Uzbekistan proves that authenticity triumphs. In every frame, there’s an invitation: Come, watch, and be part of this journey. Uzbek cinema isn’t coming