Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan is leading an Indian Delegation to the Tashkent International Film Festival (TIFFEST) at Tashkent in Uzbekistan beginning today. The Minister will be visiting Tashkent from September 29 to October 1, an official statement said on Thursday.
“Honoured to welcome Dr. L Murugan to Tashkent as the leader of the Indian delegation to the 15th Tashkent International Film Festival which begins today. As we celebrate the decades old partnership of India-Uzbek cinema, we also focus on new avenues of cooperation at #TIFFEST,” Embassy of India in Tashkent, Uzbekistan posted on X.
India’s participation in TIFFEST revolves around the theme ‘Showcasing India’s Creative Economy,’ a concept introduced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur. This theme is anticipated to spark engaging and substantive discussions.
India’s participation in this film festival aims to foster cinematic partnerships, facilitate program exchanges, nurture filmmaking talent, and bridge cultural gaps. Known as the “Pearl of The Silk Road,” the Tashkent International Film Festival was inaugurated in 1968, with India’s film “Amrapali” being screened in its inaugural edition.
Indian cinema gained global recognition during the early days of the industry, with iconic figures like Raj Kapoor, whose films resonated with audiences worldwide, particularly in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. Today, Indian cinema continues to captivate audiences with its unique cultural storytelling and artistic expressions, not only in India but across the globe. For instance, the song “Natu Natu” from S S Rajamouli’s film “RRR” recently won the Golden Globe award for Best Song, capturing the hearts of cinema enthusiasts worldwide.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has emphasized India’s aspiration to become a global content hub and establish a collaborative filmmaking ecosystem. The Tashkent International Film Festival serves as a platform for cinematic collaborations between Uzbekistan and other participating nations. Additionally, it will be used to promote incentives for foreign filmmakers to encourage more film production in India. This festival platform will also be leveraged to highlight this year’s 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), scheduled from November 20th to 28th in Goa.
The historical ties between Uzbekistan and India have deep roots, and in recent years, these bilateral relations have significantly strengthened. India is working towards creating a thriving filmmaking ecosystem and a forward-looking industry with global growth potential. India is eager to collaborate on movie production, share cinematic knowledge and techniques, and ensure inclusivity in its film industry. As part of its presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) this year, India hosted the SCO Film Festival in Mumbai in January 2023, further enhancing cultural exchanges between the two nations.