ATELIERS VARAN IN TASHKENT 2025

Organization: Ateliers Varan, in partnership with Tashkent FilmSchool

Support: French Ministry of Foreign Affairs with CFI Médias, French Embassy in Uzbekistan

This workshop is part of the documentary component of the "Horizons Médias" project, led by CFI Médias with the support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The project, which runs from 2025 to 2027, is aimed at beneficiaries from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan.

The "Horizons Médias" documentary program consists of 5 activities:

1. Documentary series incubation Workshop (Kyrgyzstan, September-October 2025 – Post Space Film Camp)
2. Hands-on Documentary Filmmaking Workshop (Uzbekistan, October-November 2025 - Ateliers Varan and Tashkent FilmSchool)
3. Documentary Writing & Development Workshop (Kyrgyzstan, December 2025 - Docmonde)
4. International Coproduction Meetings « Eurasiadoc » (Kazakhstan, June 2026 - Docmonde)
5. Focus on Central Asian co-productions in European markets (France, June 2026 – Sunny Side of the Doc)

Presentation of the documentary filmmaking workshop

In the course of six weeks, participants will take their ideas from concept to finished short documentary film. The program includes: film dramaturgy, practical classes, filming, editing, and post-production.

Who can apply: Citizens of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan (including those living outside Turkmenistan) aged at least 18.

Language: Proficiency in English is required

Fee:Participation in the program is free of charge. Accommodation (except for residents of Tashkent), meals, and transportation are paid for by the organizers; filming and editing equipment is provided by the school.

Dates: October 13–November 29, 2025.

The program requires mandatory attendance of all classes and availability during the whole period of the workshop.

Deadline: September 20th, 2025

How to apply

By September 20th, 2025, please fill out the form providing:

• Autobiography (CV);
• Essay: "Why documentary is an exciting genre and why I want to be a part of the workshop?"
• Links to creative work: photography portfolio and short film or video essay. Links to video work must be active until September 30, 2025.

Applications must be submitted through this link

Answers must be submitted in English only.

Nothing Else But,...Directed by Shokhsanam Normakhmatova Uzbekistan, 2023