Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 14-16 November, the US Embassy in Uzbekistan sponsored an American Film Festival, attracting an audience of many enthusiastic young people. Held at the Muzey Kino (Theater Museum), the three-day festival mixed old American movies with new and provided the audience with a taste of the wide variety of American films. The festival opened on Friday night with Pay it Forward (2000), a film that emphasizes the importance of giving back to others. This film, which was shown in English with Russian subtitles, highlights the American tradition of community service and of helping those in need. On Saturday, the Embassy presented three classic films: West Side Story (1961), The Searchers (1956), and Roman Holiday (1953) (in English with Russian subtitles). While most audience members watched West Side Story and The Searchers for the first time at the festival, Roman Holiday has long been popular in Uzbekistan. Several audience members commented that they were nonetheless glad the Embassy showed it at the festival, because this was the first time they had ever seen it in English. For many, it was also their first time viewing the film in its entirety. On the final day, audience members watched three newer movies: Toy Story (1995), Dave (1993), and Forrest Gump (1994). Toy Story, an animated feature or cartoon, drew a younger audience and gave the film festival appeal for all ages. Between 100 and 150 guests from all walks of life attended each film. They included high school and university students, foreign diplomats, journalists, and Embassy cultural contacts, as well as members of the general public. The Embassy is already planning for future film festivals.