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 and 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 off 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.