EU film camp offers free education to Uzbek children

Tashkent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The EU FOCUS FILM CAMP, funded by the EU, offers free film education for children in Uzbekistan.

The EU FOCUS FILM CAMP, a free educational programme for children, was arranged with financial backing from the European Union as part of the European Film Festival in Uzbekistan, which is planned for late November this year.

Toivo Klaar, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Uzbekistan, visited the FOCUS Film and Theater School to offer certificates to the finalists of the EU FOCUS FILM CAMP 2024 – summer film camp project. The EU FOCUS FILM CAMP is a specially designed, free educational programme for teenagers, featuring over 100 topics related to film and theatre.

What topics are covered in the film education program?

In her welcoming remarks, Mr. Toivo Klaar, EU Ambassador said:

We started our collaboration on the film camp with the idea of supporting one of the FOCUS Film and Theater School projects in the summer of 2023. The EU FOCUS FILM CAMP has exceeded our expectations. Many of those who completed the camp in 2023 decided to continue their studies here for over a year. I wholeheartedly congratulate the participants of the advanced ‘Kino Kazan’ programme. I am also pleased to congratulate the finalists of the 2024 Film Camp on completing this intensive course,

The finalists’ films were professionally inspected by Mr Zulfikar Musakov, Artistic Director of the FOCUS Film Directing School and the FOCUS Screenwriting Workshop, an Honored Art Worker of Uzbekistan. 

What impact has the film camp had on participants?

He expressed that he had long wondered why film training starts only at the university level instead of in childhood. He mentioned being very happy that Tashkent now has a school offering fundamental film education from an early age, emphasizing its importance. He sincerely congratulated the young talents and shared that he was deeply impressed by their work. 

He felt captivated without any leniency and noted that the level of their preparation was somewhat intimidating in a positive way. Each film he watched left a vivid impression on him, showcasing intrinsic value, a sense of style, high visual culture, and discernment. He observed that these young people possessed taste, developed a deep understanding of film history, and felt reassured about the future of cinema after seeing them.