Uzbekistan is reportedly overhauling its state film financing mechanism by abandoning the traditional government order system and transitioning entirely to a subsidy-based model, according to recent official announcements following a meeting held by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev with industry representatives.
Under the purported new policy, the state claims it will shift from acting as a direct commissioner of films to becoming a partner for creative professionals and private enterprises. Authorities have been allegedly instructed to implement this new funding framework within a month, ostensibly aiming to prioritize creative value over rigid technical specifications.
The existing state procurement system faced criticism during the discussions for allegedly fostering an uneven playing field. Reports indicated that certain directors and writers managed multiple projects simultaneously, while nearly half of all state-backed orders were funneled to government studios, which critics claim stifled fair market competition and compromised script quality for the sake of meeting bureaucratic deadlines.
As part of the systemic overhaul, the state institution 'Uzbekfilm' is slated to be reorganized into a national film company that will allegedly no longer produce films directly. Instead, its new mandate will purportedly involve project selection, financial administration, and international promotion, leaving the actual physical production entirely to private entities.
Source: podrobno.uz