Talent has no borders: the Chaplin Awards ceremony was held in Tashkent

Talent has no borders: the Chaplin Awards ceremony was held in Tashkent

On October 23, the Charlie Chaplin Awards ceremony took place in Tashkent.

This prestigious international award in the field of cinematic art was established in 1972 by the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York. It is awarded to outstanding actors and directors for their significant contribution to the development of world cinema. Charlie Chaplin himself became the first recipient of the award. Among the laureates are also Alfred Hitchcock, Federico Fellini, Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, and George Clooney.

In recent years, formal events associated with this award have also been held outside the United States. This year, the ceremony took place at the Palace of International Forums in Tashkent and was dedicated to the achievements of the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus in film and television.

The program opened with a press conference where Minister of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Director of the Cinematography Agency Jahongir Ahmedov, and Charlie Chaplin's granddaughter, actress and entrepreneur Kiera Chaplin, answered questions from journalists.

"The Silk Road has always played an important role in connecting East and West. Not only caravans and merchants traveled along it, but also new ideas, achievements of science, works of art, and cultural traditions. Today, the Silk Road has transformed into an important cultural and educational platform connecting the past and the future, filling the present with new meaning. After all, in films we do not just see a sequence of images; we see a reflection of hearts, hopes, soul, stories, and customs of people. The dialogue that has begun creates a solid foundation for joint film projects and further creative cooperation in this field," Ozodbek Nazarbekov said.

Answering questions from journalists, Kiera Chaplin emphasized that the point of this award is that talent has no borders, no limits, and she is glad to be here and to have the opportunity to share this award with everyone.

"My grandfather made films that had no sound. Even when sound appeared and pictures began to be voiced, he continued to shoot the old way. By doing so, he wanted to show that everyone is equal before cinema, cinema has no nationality, no differences. That is why he was equally understood all over the world. It is important for me to preserve his legacy and continue his ideas. It is a great joy for me to bring the award to a country with such a rich culture as yours, manifested in art, music, and dance. I am sure that my grandfather would have supported me in my endeavor," Kiera Chaplin emphasized.

As part of the event, the Chaplin Awards ceremony was held in cooperation with The Hollywood Reporter publication. Kiera Chaplin presented Russian actress Leonela Manturova with the "Golden Cane" award for her vivid portrayal of strong female characters in historical cinema. Also, Uzbek film director Shukhrat Abbasov was posthumously recognized for his contribution to cinema. The award on his behalf was received by the director's son, Eljon Abbasov.

"It is a great honor for our family to accept this award. It testifies to the fact that the memory of my father's work is alive and will continue to live. For this, huge thanks go to the organizers and directly to the Charles Spencer Chaplin Foundation and its successors. The most interesting thing is that my dad's life was connected with Chaplin's work, his characters, especially his hero—the Little Tramp. Having seen the film 'City Lights' at the age of about six, my father was deeply moved by this picture; probably then a seed fell into his heart, which later sprouted into a love for cinema. My father kept his love for Chaplin's work until the very last days of his life. He rewatched these pictures, admired them, and, of course, loved the outstanding music that Chaplin wrote. My father was a deeply religious man, but his religion consisted in believing in goodness. This main idea was carried by all of Chaplin's films, and in this, they were close in spirit," shared Eljon Abbasov.

For his significant contribution to the film industry, the editors of The Hollywood Reporter recognized Boris Khanchalyan in the status of Featured Producer, as well as Russian media manager Alina Zinnatullina, one of the general producers of the film "Homeland of Champions: Islam Makhachev," who presented the picture from the stage.

In conclusion, a film of domestic production, Haqqim bor ("I Have the Right"), which premiered in Uzbekistan in 2025, was screened. The picture tells about the dreams and aspirations of children who have faced violence, subtly conveying their inner experiences and their desire to find their place in a society where social protection and support will be provided to them.

The event was held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan.