"Uzbekfilm" will no longer make films, the "state order" will be canceled, and filming will be transferred to the private sector

“Uzbekfilm” will no longer produce films, the “state order” will be abolished, and filming will be transferred to the private sector

The organizational and economic model of “Uzbekfilm” will be updated, Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced at a meeting with filmmakers at the “Renaissance” Cinema House.

According to it, the state institution will be liquidated, and a new “Uzbekfilm” national film company operating on the basis of a modern business model will be established.

The President said the new film company will serve as the anchor center and main operator for creating the national film brand and developing the modern film industry.

It was emphasized that the “Uzbekfilm” national film company will not produce films. The creation of films will fully transfer to the private sector. The company will be engaged in the selection and financing of projects, film promotion, distribution, and bringing them to international markets and festivals.

Through this, the process from film production to delivery to the viewer will be united into an integrated system. An instruction was given to launch the activities of the national film company within one week.

The President announced that film financing will transition from the practice of “state orders” to a subsidy-based support system.

“There are also issues awaiting resolution in the current system of state ordering and procurement for film projects. The old 'state order' does not meet the requirements of the modern film industry,” the head of state said.

It was noted that assigning up to six projects to a single director and up to seven to a single author at the same time makes it difficult to work thoroughly on each work under such a workload. Almost half of the orders were given to state studios, which limited equal competition opportunities for private creators, he said.

It was noted that as a result, instead of creating a strong script and a quality film, quickly “closing” the assignment became the main criterion. The leader of the country emphasized that the result of a creator's work should be measured by a film that makes the viewer think deeply and leaves a mark in their heart.

“A script can be enriched during the filming process, and creative solutions can change. Therefore, it is not right to purchase a work of art based on technical specifications like a simple commodity or a construction site,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

“From now on, the state will not be the orderer of the film, but a reliable partner of creators and the private sector,” he noted.

It was added that starting from 2027, relevant funds will be allocated annually from the budget upon request of the “Uzbekfilm” national film company. It was specifically noted that while 10 billion sums were allocated from the state budget for making films in 2016, 218 billion sums were provided in 2026 alone.

At this meeting, the president also announced that the Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan, its 19 organizations, and the Cinematography Fund will be liquidated, and the management of the sector will be transferred to the Ministry of Culture.

A new Department of Cinema Art will be established under the ministry, and its head will be equalized in status to a deputy minister.