Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography hosted celebrations dedicated to the start of the new academic year. The celebration was attended by over 22 students from Uzbekistan who entered to study at VGIK this year.

For the first time since 1979, VGIK recruited students from Uzbekistan to the acting workshop. Ahead of the students are 4 years of academic internship in the workshop of the Honored Artist of Russia Farhad Makhmudov, known in Uzbekistan for the films "The Tricks of Maysara", "Ibrat", "Baron" and others. And today all the lucky ones who passed the entrance exams got acquainted with the rector of VGIK Vladimir Malyshev and representatives of the institute administration.

“It is gratifying to note that, finally, the lost ties between Uzbekistan and Russia in the field of cinematographic education have been restored. We went to this for a long time, and today I am immensely happy that talented and capable guys from Uzbekistan will now be able to master the basics of cinema, acting and directing skills within the walls of VGIK. This is a strong basis for the development and strengthening of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between our countries - noted the Rector of VGIK Vladimir Malyshev.

Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director General of the Uzbekistan Cinematography Agency, took part in the initiation ceremony for students of VGIK, held in Moscow:

“It is especially important to note that the initiative for organizing the training of students from Uzbekistan, as well as the opening of the VGIK branch in Tashkent, belongs personally to the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev,” stressed Firdavs Abdukhalikov, Director General of the Uzbekistan Cinematography Agency. - For example, the President signed the decree on the opening of the VGIK branch on the eve of the holidays. And this was another great news for the representatives of the cinematography of our country. We agreed with the leadership of VGIK that we will hold the opening ceremony of the VGIK branch within the framework of the XIII Tashkent International Film Festival "Pearl of the Silk Road", which will be held from September 28 to October 3 this year, the head of the Cinematography Agency emphasized

The main directions of the branch’s work are the training of highly qualified creative personnel, taking into account the needs of film companies and film studios in highly qualified personnel, as well as conducting research in the field of cinematography. The branch will accept the first students already in the 2021/2022 academic year. Graduates of the Tashkent VGIK will receive a Russian diploma, which is also recognized in Uzbekistan.

All expenses related to the training of students from Uzbekistan are paid by the Agency of Cinematography of Uzbekistan. After completing the training, according to the agreements between the Uzbek and Russian sides, the guys will return to Uzbekistan and continue to work in the field of cinematography in their country.

Firdavs Abdukhalikov noted that last year seven students were admitted to study at VGIK in Moscow, this year their number has grown to 22. Additional places will be opened for five more people this year. At the same time, the cost for the flight, study and hostel is covered by the Uzbek and Russian sides.

In December 2019, the Cinematography Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan reported that it had signed an agreement with VGIK on the training of Uzbek filmmakers on the basis of the university.