October 19, 2013
A
host of local and international celebrities as well as film industry
professionals took to the red carpet as the Third Tashkent International
Film Forum ‘Golden Guepard’ kicked off at Hotel International Tashkent.
Unlike the previous two editions, the opening ceremony brought together
the crowd in a more informal ambience, which however did not detract
from the grandeur of the event.
The organizers opted for a ‘friendly get-together’ format for this
year’s opening ceremony, thereby giving the professionals presenting
in-competition films and those who will be judging them an opportunity
to mingle and socialize.
Those gathered for the opening ceremony, held at Hotel International
Tashkent, were welcomed with a festive program. Following the
demonstration of a video clip about the Film Forum and national dance
performances by Sabo group, the Director of the Film Forum came on stage
to read out a welcome speech by Gulnara Karimova, the mind behind the
cinematic project. The hosts then introduced the members of the jury for
the film forum. In his welcome remarks the chairman of the jury,
prominent Chinese film director, scriptwriter and actor Zhang Yuan,
said:
“I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of this important exciting event. I am happy that I am here in Tashkent and that I will be working and judging films alongside such great people throughout the festival. This is my first time in Uzbekistan and I really like it. The people are very hospitable. In days gone by, Uzbekistan and China were linked by the historical Silk Road. Let us embark on a new path, on new cooperation in cinematography!”
On a big screen the guests could watch a video about the films that
make up the cinema forum’s program. The stage was decked with Golden
Guepard statuettes, the coveted trophies which actors and film directors
will be vying for.
The guests were treated to a rendition of a soundtrack to the James Bond film ‘Skyfall’ performed by a finalist of Zo’r-Zo’r Star national music contest, a classical composition from the repertoire of Andrea Bocelli performed by Uzbek opera singer Ramiz Usmanov and a winner of Yangi Avlod (New Generation) Children’s Art Festival 2006, Shirin Mamatova, as well as locally famous Uzbek national songs.
Now in its third year, the ‘Golden Guepard’ Cinema Forum runs as part
of Style.Uz Art Week. Golden Guepard organizers and participants are
prepared for fruitful work, new discoveries and the most emotional and
suspenseful part of the event, the Awards Ceremony, which will unveil
winners.
The activities of the first day of Golden Guepard Film kicked
early in the morning, with Fund Forum hosting two press conferences with
the juries of feature films, short films and animated films. The
educational segment of the six-day cinematic event started with
workshops by the Iranian film director Abbas Kiarostami; the chairman of
the jury for feature films, Chinese film director Zhang Yuan; and
Japanese film director Tomio Kuriyama, as well as the screening of a
Japanese film ‘Fishing Fool’s Diary’. Later, Zhang Yuan’s ‘Beijing
Flickers’ (2012) was screened at the State Institute of Arts and
Culture, with Uzbek students in attendance.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of this important exciting event. I am happy that I am here in Tashkent and that I will be working and judging films alongside such great people throughout the festival. This is my first time in Uzbekistan and I really like it. The people are very hospitable. In days gone by, Uzbekistan and China were linked by the historical Silk Road. Let us embark on a new path, on new cooperation in cinematography!”
The guests were treated to a rendition of a soundtrack to the James Bond film ‘Skyfall’ performed by a finalist of Zo’r-Zo’r Star national music contest, a classical composition from the repertoire of Andrea Bocelli performed by Uzbek opera singer Ramiz Usmanov and a winner of Yangi Avlod (New Generation) Children’s Art Festival 2006, Shirin Mamatova, as well as locally famous Uzbek national songs.
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