The National PR-Center under the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Global Tech Weekend (GTW) have signed a memorandum of cooperation, marking the official launch of Global Cinema Weekend, a dedicated industry platform to be held as part of GTW Tashkent this May.

The partnership brings together government, industry, and the international creative community around a shared ambition: to establish Uzbekistan as a competitive destination for global film production, and to harness cinema as a driver of tourism, investment, and cultural exchange.

Global Cinema Weekend will be hosted within GTW Tashkent — the region's largest decentralised innovation forum — taking place across the city on 15, 16 and 17 May 2026. The platform is designed to facilitate direct engagement between international film industry professionals, government stakeholders, and local businesses, creating a space where partnerships are formed and Uzbekistan's creative potential is put firmly on the global map.

The platform will focus on positioning Uzbekistan as an emerging filming destination, fostering film-induced tourism, attracting leading global studios and producers, and deepening the country's integration into the global creative economy. A key vehicle for this is film-induced tourism, a proven mechanism through which screen exposure translates directly into visitor interest and destination growth, supporting the goals set out on Uzbekistan's official national tourism strategy.

Under the memorandum, the two parties will cooperate on a long-term basis — including the annual organisation of similar events with participation from leading global film industry representatives, including Hollywood professionals. The agreement is expected to open new pathways for attracting international directors, producers, and screenwriters to Uzbekistan, facilitating knowledge exchange, and raising production and promotion standards across the industry.

The initiative is backed by government incentives for the film industry, including cash rebate programmes for foreign production companies, reflecting Uzbekistan's commitment to becoming a competitive and open destination for international productions.

“Signing this memorandum marks an important step in positioning Uzbekistan as an open and competitive destination for international film production. We are building an ecosystem where the film industry contributes to tourism growth, investment attraction, and the country’s global image,” said Shakhboz Saidkhanov, Director of the National PR-Center under the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

“Uzbekistan has everything a filmmaker needs: ancient cities, dramatic landscapes, and a government that is actively building the infrastructure to welcome international productions. What has been missing is a dedicated industry platform that connects that potential directly to global decision-makers,” said Nodo Ivanidze, Co-Founder of Global Tech Weekend. “Global Cinema Weekend, hosted as part of Global Tech Weekend Tashkent this May, is that platform. This memorandum is not a one-time activation. It is the beginning of a long-term effort to make Uzbekistan a permanent fixture on the map of global film production, and we are committed to building that together.”