ISTANBUL, November 10. /Dunyo IA/. A delegation of Uzbekistan, led by the First Deputy Minister of Culture – Director of the Cinematography Agency Jakhongir Akhmedov, participated in the 6^th “Korkut Ata” Turkic World Film Festival held in Istanbul, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Within the framework of the visit, meetings were held with renowned Turkish film producers, aimed at developing professional contacts and cooperation between the cinematographers of the two countries.

A separate program was dedicated to meetings with compatriots residing in Türkiye. Thus, on November 5^th, at Istanbul Kent University, Jakhongir Akhmedov, alongside Uzbek directors and actors, met with representatives of the Uzbek diaspora. Premiere screenings of several Uzbek films were also organized for the compatriots.

The closing and award ceremony of the festival took place on November 7^th at the Atatürk Cultural Center in Istanbul. Following the results of the competitive program, the film “Thirst for Life” by Uzbek director Muminjon Tursunov won second place in the “Best Documentary Film” category, while Matyakub Matchanov became a laureate in the “Best Actor” category.

A significant event of the ceremony was the handover of the symbolic key of the Tourism Capital of the Turkic World to Tashkent. In connection with the granting of this status to the capital of Uzbekistan for 2027, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, handed over the symbolic key of Ankara, which held this title in 2026, to the Chairman of the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Akkulov.

In his speech, Turkish Minister noted the rich historical and cultural heritage of Uzbekistan, its unique traditions, and tourism potential. According to him, the new status of Tashkent will create additional opportunities for expanding cooperation in the field of tourism among the Turkic states.

Abdulaziz Akkulov congratulated the festival participants and invited representatives of all Turkic countries to visit Tashkent in 2027. He also urged foreign filmmakers to visit Uzbekistan and reflect the country's ancient cities, historical monuments, natural landscapes and cultural heritage in their films.

Thus, Uzbekistan’s participation in the “Korkut Ata” festival served as a platform not only for promoting domestic cinematography but also for strengthening cultural and tourism ties with the countries of the Turkic world.