Mirziyoyev Orders Abolition of Cinematography Agency

A Department of Cinematographic Art will appear in the structure of the ministry, the head of which will receive the status of deputy minister. One month is allocated for the organization of the department's work and the liquidation of the agency together with its subordinate structures. According to the president, the new system should clearly separate the management of the industry, its financing, and film production.

The state institution Uzbekfilm will be abolished, and in its place, the National Film Company Uzbekfilm with a modern business model will appear; it is entrusted to launch it within a week. The company itself will not shoot films: production will completely go to the private sector. The company will be responsible for selecting and financing projects, promoting and distributing films, as well as their output to foreign markets and festivals.

The state order will be replaced by subsidies, and the new financing mechanism is entrusted to be introduced within a month. "From now on, the state will not be a customer of films, but a reliable partner of creative figures and the private sector," Mirziyoyev said. Starting next year, budget funds will be allocated annually at the request of the film company. The previous system was criticized by the president: according to him, some directors received up to six projects, authors - up to seven, and almost half of the orders went to state film studios.

An industrial cluster "Film City Uzbekfilm" with services for film production will be organized on the territory of Uzbekfilm with an area of 10 hectares.