Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In the open pavilion of Uzbekfilm, on the eve of the start of the XIV Tashkent International Film Festival "Pearl of the Silk Road", a class-concert VGIK in Tashkent and the dedication of students of the Tashkent branch of the All-Russian State University of Cinematography named after Sergey Gerasimov were held.

The ceremony began with a performance by vocal and dance groups and a light show. Then the speakers made welcoming speeches.

Dmitry Davidenko, Head of the Department of Cinematography of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, was the first to address the guests and students.

“25 years ago I graduated from VGIK, the Faculty of Film Studies, but I envy those guys who study and will study at VGIK today, because they have both international and creative paths ahead of them. I wish them creative success and remain honest with themselves. I want to express separate words of gratitude to the rector of VGIK Vladimir Sergeevich Malyshev,” Davidenko said.

Director of the Film Agency Firdavs Abdukhalikov also welcomed the guests of the event.

“It is a great honor and great pleasure for me to welcome everyone to this holiday, which coincided with the beginning of the academic year and will be held on the eve of the XIV Tashkent International Film Festival “Pearl of the Silk Road”, which was revived at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Also, on his initiative, a branch of VGIK was opened in Tashkent - the only foreign branch of this great university in the world, which produced a huge number of filmmakers. All those young guys who are here will definitely create their own cinema, which will be close to the hearts of young people, and which we will definitely support. Because Uzbekistan is a country of youth. In our country, 65% of the young population. Good luck, friends!” said Firdavs Abdukhalikov.

VGIK rector Vladimir Sergeevich Malyshev, who also arrived in Tashkent to personally greet the students, began his speech with humor.

“No one warned me that I would have to sing, and when Sergey Bezrukov is here, I’m afraid to be out of tune. Happy to welcome everyone. It is wonderful that the VGIK branch has been working here for the second year. That branch, as Firdavs Fridunovich said, was decided to open by two presidents - Russia and Uzbekistan. And this is a big responsibility for us. So, we can’t cheat, and I think that new generations will grow up here, who, as is traditionally accepted at VGIK, will study all world cinema and still bring wonderful notes of cinematography. Before the Uzbek cinema, which is actively developing today, has great fame and recognition all over the world. We recruited directors, cameramen, and actors. This is already a full-fledged university. I thank the teachers and masters. We expect students to study responsibly and achieve remarkable results,” Malyshev said.

After introducing People’s Artist of Russia Sergei Bezrukov as the next speaker, Malyshev stressed that Bezrukov had recently been a teacher at VGIK himself.

“He recruited a workshop in VGIK in Moscow, in Rostov-on-Don. I think that after visiting Uzbekistan, the next workshop will be in Tashkent,” the rector of VGIK said.

Bezrukov, in turn, admitted that he could also gain a workshop in Tashkent.

“Indeed, since this year I have been a full-fledged VGIK student, although I do not forget my Moscow Art Theater School and my alma mater. Believe me, good artists can be grown everywhere, and good artists are needed. I hope that I am making my passive contribution to the development of VGIK not only in Moscow and Rostov-on-Don. Maybe, indeed, it will be like this, I will come to Uzbekistan with great pleasure, and I will hear “Khush kelibsiz” with great pleasure. And I will be happy to gain a master’s degree here, but for now it’s not worth thinking about, after all, I still need to work in Moscow and Rostov-on-Don. I wish the students good luck, and remember, in the cinema - only sincerely and with an open soul. Only in this way, ”Sergey Bezrukov emphasized.

Malyshev and Bezrukov solemnly presented student cards to freshmen.

At the end of the official ceremony, there were performances by VGIK students who arrived from Russia. The guys performed group and solo programs, including vocal and dance numbers and musical hits from Russian and foreign pop music.

The XIV Tashkent International Film Festival "Pearl of the Silk Road" will be held from 13 to 18 September this year. It is attended by over 500 cinematographers from 40 countries of the world, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan. Within the framework of the film festival, 150 feature, documentary and short films will be shown.