Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The documentary film "Lazgi", filmed by promising young director Ikhtiyor Bakhtiyorov with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, won prestigious awards at many international events. In particular, at the international competitions "Art Stream", "Fifflondon", "Blackboard", "Lift-Off Season Awards" and "IFFF", a documentary film dedicated to the history of Lazgi’s dance was recognized as "The Best Documentary Film About Dance".

“As part of the Youth Forum 2020, we received an offer from our young brother-director, who thoroughly studied the project, and it was fully supported - the ministry allocated the necessary funds for the project and created the necessary conditions. I believe that the success of the film "Lazgi" in a short time is the result of the President’s attention to the preservation of the cultural heritage of our country, ongoing reforms in the field and, of course, the conditions created for young people. I wish the filmmakers good luck in their future endeavors. Let the number of talented young people who contribute to the development of our country increase, we are ready to support them,” said Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Tourism and Sports Aziz Abdukhakimov.

The documentary film "Lazgi" was recognized as the best short documentary film about dance at the Art Stream Film Festival, which is held monthly in Moscow. The Art Stream Film Festival supports independent filmmakers working in all genres in different countries.

Along with this, "Lazgi" was recognized as the "Best Audience Choice Film" at the Fifflondon Film Festival in London. Every month the jury of the competition awards the best authors of fiction, documentary and animation films at closed screenings.

The International Film Festival "Blackboard", dedicated to the recognition of filmmakers around the world, recognized "Lazgi" as the best documentary film about dance.

The Lift-Off Season Awards, celebrating the best films in India, will honor hundreds of films by talented artists. At this festival, the Uzbek film "Lazgi" was recognized as "One of the best films about dance."

In addition, "IFFT" (International Film Festival of Thrissour), organized by "Orange Film Academy" Thrissur International Film Festival, Center for Media Studies, St. Thomas College and International Indian Folk Film, presented "Lazgi" as the best dance documentary.

“In the process of making this film, my goal was to preserve the endangered form of the Lazgi dance, show them to the whole world and thereby attract the attention of foreigners to our cultural heritage. At the youth forum in Tashkent, I turned to the Minister of Tourism and Sports, they fully supported my initiative, and we quickly started filming. I would like to thank the representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports for supporting and motivating young people like us,” said the director of the film, Ikhtiyor Bakhtiyorov.

Professor of the Uzbek State Conservatory, National Institute of Music named after Yunus Rajabi, candidate of art criticism Botir Matyakubov, professor of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Ardahan University (Turkey), said about the film: “There are nations in the world that you discover and remember what they are through their crafts, art and dance. For example, Ukrainian "Gopak", Dagestan "Lezginka", Uzbek "Lazgi" or "Andijan Polka" and others. Although the Lazgi dance originated in ancient times, by our centenary it has become known to the world and was under the auspices of UNESCO. To date, more than 50 creative figures have created new types of it. Short films and feature films have been made about Lazgi, which tour the world, inviting tourists to Khorezm, the homeland of Lazgi. I really liked this film, which reveals the history of dance and its beauty, as well as the playing of disappearing musical instruments. Enjoy the flight, which is full of flame, energy, my delightful Lazgi!”