Uzbekistan is taking a new step to position itself as an international filming destination with the launch of Global Cinema Weekend, an industry platform designed to connect cinema, tourism, and the creative economy.
The initiative was formalized through a memorandum signed between the National PR-Center and Global Tech Weekend. The platform will be held as part of Global Tech Weekend Tashkent on May 15-17.
Organizers say the new platform aims to bring together international film professionals, government representatives, and local businesses. The goal is to foster partnerships and promote Uzbekistan as a competitive destination for global film production.
Global Cinema Weekend will take place across Tashkent as part of Global Tech Weekend, described as the region’s largest decentralized innovation forum. The event is expected to attract participants from across the global creative industry, including producers, directors, and investors.
A key focus of the initiative is developing film-induced tourism, a model in which films and television productions drive interest in filming locations and increase visitor numbers. Organizers say this approach aligns with Uzbekistan’s broader tourism strategy and could help boost international visibility.
The memorandum outlines plans for long-term cooperation, including the annual organization of similar events with participation from leading global film industry figures, including representatives from Hollywood. Officials say this could open new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and improvements in production standards.
The initiative is also supported by government incentives designed to attract foreign production companies, including cash rebate programs. These measures are intended to make Uzbekistan more competitive as a filming location.
“Signing this memorandum marks an important step in positioning Uzbekistan as an open and competitive destination for international film production,” said Shakhboz Saidkhanov, Director of the National PR-Center. “We are building an ecosystem where the film industry contributes to tourism growth, investment attraction, and the country’s global image.”
Nodo Ivanidze, co-founder of Global Tech Weekend, said Uzbekistan already offers strong potential for filmmakers. “Uzbekistan has everything a filmmaker needs: ancient cities, dramatic landscapes, and a government that is actively building the infrastructure to welcome international productions,” he said. “What has been missing is a dedicated industry platform that connects that potential directly to global decision-makers.”
He added that Global Cinema Weekend is intended to become a long-term initiative rather than a one-time event. “This memorandum is not a one-time activation. It is the beginning of a long-term effort to make Uzbekistan a permanent fixture on the map of global film production,” Ivanidze said.
Global Tech Weekend, launched in 2025, is expanding its activities across the Eurasia region, with events planned in Tashkent, Tbilisi, and Baku in 2026.
