Leading filmmakers from around the world found new inspiration at the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan

World-renowned directors, producers, and animators came face to face with history in Tashkent. A visit to the Islamic Civilization Center as part of the “Living History” International Film Festival opened a new dialogue between cinema and cultural heritage.

Within the framework of the “Living History” International Film Festival, leading filmmakers from various regions of the world visited the Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan. This visit was regarded as an important step toward strengthening dialogue between cultural heritage, history, and contemporary cinema, as well as promoting Uzbekistan’s rich civilizational legacy to a global audience.

As part of the festival, directors, producers, animators, and representatives of the film and media industries from Russia, Japan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Türkiye, China, the United States, and Mongolia became closely acquainted with the overall concept of the Islamic Civilization Center, its scientific and exhibition directions, and its cultural and educational approaches.

During the visit, participants explored the collection of rare artifacts created at the Center, its manuscript holdings, as well as the scientific and visual platforms being developed through digital technologies. Filmmakers assessed the Center not merely as a museum or research institution, but as a unique space of “living history” that enables the expression of global narratives and cultural memory through a contemporary language.

Umid Mirzayev, President of the International Eurasia Press Fund (Azerbaijan), said:

“This is my first visit here, and from the very first steps I felt an overwhelming sense of admiration and inspiration. The grandeur, substance, and spiritual atmosphere of the Center draw a person in naturally. I sincerely congratulate the people of Uzbekistan on this magnificent initiative. Through the exhibitions, we gained extensive knowledge about the great khagans, scholars, and statesmen of the Islamic world and the Turkic world. As you move from hall to hall, you feel ever more deeply the unparalleled power of human intellect and creative potential.”

Gu Guoqing, Chairman of the International Communications Committee of the China Film Association, noted:

“I am very pleased to have visited the Islamic Civilization Center. My first impressions were extremely powerful. At first, I thought this place was merely a scientific and educational center, but during the visit I witnessed how the history of human civilization from the most ancient periods to the present day is presented in a vivid and precise form. The exhibitions display aspects of human life from millennia before our era, early tools of labor and irrigation systems, ceramic and ornamented vessels, and bronze artifacts. This demonstrates that in ancient societies not only labor, but also art and aesthetic thought were highly developed.

 

Last year, I served as a member of the jury for the Golden Humo Film Award. At that event, the President of Uzbekistan’s remarks about educating youth through historical heritage made a strong impression on me. During today’s visit, I once again felt how important this idea truly is. I express my sincere gratitude to your President for establishing this Center. I am confident that in the future this Center will become an important scientific and cultural hub not only for Central Asia, but for the entire world.”

According to the conclusions of the visit, international film leaders emphasized that there is a solid foundation for future cooperation with the Center in creating international films, documentary projects, animated works, and large-scale media productions.