Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Kazakh Cinema Days in Uzbekistan opened at the Palace of National Cinema Arts in Tashkent on 12 November 2026, ahead of the 35th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence.
The event was organised by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Culture and Information, the Cinematography Agency under Uzbekistan's Ministry of Culture, Uzbekfilm, the Shaken Aimanov Kazakhfilm National Film Studio, Kazakhstan's Kinopark film studio and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan.
The three-day programme features six Kazakh films: “Qaitadan”, directed by Duman Yerkinbek; “Yerekşe”, directed by Yernar Nurgaliyev; “My Big Kazakh Family”, directed by Alen Niyazbekov; “Jabaiy”, directed by Damir Abilkhanov; “Amre”, directed by Jeffrey Vespa; and “Altyn Adam”, directed by Turdybek Maidan and Tilek Toleugazy.
The opening ceremony was attended by Matyakub Matchanov, chairman of Uzbekistan's Creative Union of Cinematographers and People's Artist of Uzbekistan; Uzbekfilm Director Bahodir Mukhamedov; Azizbek Mannopov, first deputy chairman of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation; Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Uzbekistan Yeraly Tugzhanov; Aidar Omarov, acting president of the Shaken Aimanov Kazakhfilm National Film Studio; Kinopark Theatres founder Almaz Maldybayev; Tiger Films Director General Yerlan Bukharbayev; Dala Edge Creative Technology Park co-founder Danat Zhumin; Kazakh film actors; representatives of the creative and film communities of both countries; members of the Kazakh Cultural Centre in Uzbekistan; university students and media representatives.
Opening the event, Tugzhanov said the film days were being held in a year marking the 35th anniversary of independence for both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. He said the two countries had made significant progress while maintaining close spiritual ties and strengthening their longstanding friendship.
He described the festival as part of a longstanding tradition of cultural exchange.
Tugzhanov also said cinema was an important part of the creative economy, whose development had received particular attention in both countries. He referred to remarks by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his address to the people of Kazakhstan.
“The creative industry should be part of the development of the digital economy. Kazakhstan plans to increase the creative economy's share of GDP to 3% by 2030. Cinema and animation, game development, digital art, fashion, design and traditional crafts make a significant contribution to the sector. A new draft law on the creative economy is being developed. Alongside support for creative products, it will provide for improved mechanisms to protect copyright and promote domestic works abroad,” Tugzhanov said.
Matchanov highlighted the rapid development of Kazakhstan's film industry in recent years, saying a new generation of directors and professionals had played an important role.
“Kazakh cinema has developed strongly in recent years thanks to young professionals. Their work is helping renew national cinema and increase audience interest, including in Uzbekistan,” he said.
He added that the festival offered opportunities to discover new films, establish professional contacts and discuss joint projects.
“Today we have opened Kazakh Cinema Days. This gives us an opportunity to exchange views and consider new joint projects in the future, because we have something to say to audiences around the world. We share a common culture, national traditions and history. These are precisely the kinds of films audiences are interested in today. I believe that if we launch such projects together, both Uzbek and Kazakh cinema will enjoy great success,” Matchanov said.
Omarov said the event was intended to increase public interest in Kazakh cinema in Uzbekistan.
“This time we have brought a wide range of films from different genres and periods, both historical and contemporary. In addition to the films, the programme will include the animated film ‘Altyn Adam’, allowing us to reach both adult and younger audiences and introduce more people to our cinema,” he said.
Omarov also expressed confidence in the prospects for further cooperation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in filmmaking. He said the sides had been negotiating for several years on the production of a joint historical film.
Mukhamedov noted the positive momentum in Kazakhstan's film industry.
“Kazakh cinema is developing actively today. Independent and private films deserve particular attention, as they are becoming an important part of the country's film industry,” he said.
He added that Kazakh films attracted audiences both in Kazakhstan and abroad, demonstrating the creative potential of the country's filmmakers and creating further opportunities for international cooperation.
Bukharbayev thanked the organisers for the opportunity to present independent Kazakh cinema in Uzbekistan.
“It is a great pleasure and honour for us to present independent Kazakh cinema in Uzbekistan. We see considerable interest from Uzbek audiences, who attend screenings and enjoy discovering our films. The popularity of Kazakh cinema in Uzbekistan has grown noticeably in recent years,” he said.
Students from a Tashkent sports school specialising in athletics and team sports attended a screening of “Yerekşe”, a film made with the support of the Kazakhstan Boccia Federation.
Samira Otepbergenova, a 16-year-old student at the school who competes in sport professionally, said she was particularly interested in watching the film because it focused on her sport. She said such films should be screened more often to help raise awareness of the sport.
The opening of Kazakh Cinema Days demonstrated strong interest among Uzbek audiences in contemporary Kazakh cinema.
Representatives of the creative communities of both countries highlighted the potential for cooperation in filmmaking. They said there was interest in developing joint projects that could further strengthen cultural ties.
Uzbek filmmakers believe projects exploring the national traditions, shared history and worldviews of the two peoples could be of particular interest.
