LONDON, May 29. /Dunyo IA/. The 7th Eurasian Creative Guild (ECG) Film Festival, one of the UK’s premier platforms promoting international cinema, was held in London on May 26–27, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

This year’s edition of the festival attracted over 100 submissions from 23 countries, including India, Turkiye, Canada, Iran, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia — and notably, Uzbekistan.

A major highlight of the event was the participation of three full-length feature films from Uzbekistan, all directed by Muzaffarkhon Erkinov, who was rightfully recognized as one of the festival’s breakthrough talents.

The first film, "Aydinlar", is a moving drama centered on the fate of Muynak, the vanished sea, and a young man searching for meaning far from home.

The second, "Magtymguly Pyragy", offers an artistic interpretation of the life of the great Eastern poet, with a focus on his years of study in Bukhara and Khiva.

The third film, "Abdulla Oripov" — co-directed with Muzaffar Karabayev, presents a portrait of the life and legacy of one of Uzbekistan’s most revered cultural figures and the author of the national anthem.

Uzbek cinema made a powerful impression at the festival, winning two of its top honors were Grand Prix for Best Feature Film – "Aydinlar" and Audience Choice Award – "Magtymguly Pyragy".

According to participants, the greatest achievement was that these stories, rooted in Uzbek soil, resonated deeply with an international audience.

Festival jury member Anastasia Kalinovskaya:

- The film possesses an excellent narrative pace, a striking visual style, and a poignant, nostalgic atmosphere. Beautifully composed scenes enhance the drama and evoke a profound emotional response. Uzbekistan is confidently establishing its place on the global map of auteur cinema, and participation in the ECG Film Festival marks a major milestone on that path.

The ECG Film Festival serves as a platform for the development of Eurasian cinema, aiming to promote its visibility in the English-speaking world and to connect industry professionals from around the globe. It highlights works that reflect the cultural bonds among Eurasian nations and fosters opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth.

The festival showcases full-length and short films, animations, documentaries, book trailers, screenplays, mobile videos, and music clips.

Each year, the ECG Film Festival attracts more than 1,500 attendees and features films from countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Italy, Tajikistan, Finland, the United States, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Sweden, Germany, Iran, Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Canada, the UK, and others.