The film “The Radiance of Stars: Jami and Navoi” won the Grand Prix at the third Toji Somon film awards, which concluded in Dushanbe on October 19. The film also received awards for production design and costume design.
The festival opened on October 15 and featured dozens of domestic and international films, including entries from Iran, Uzbekistan and Russia, according to the organizers.
The winners were announced at the closing ceremony on the evening of October 19 at the Sadriddin Ayni Opera and Ballet Theatre. Awards were presented across categories including directing, acting, cinematography, editing, documentary filmmaking and animation.
Before the winners were announced, People’s Artist of Tajikistan Maryam Isoyeva received a special prize of 50,000 somoni from the Dushanbe mayor for her outstanding contribution to the development of national cinema.
Who won the awards?
The film “The Radiance of Stars: Jami and Navoi” also won awards for best production design, presented to Tohir Nazarov and Lutfullo Nematov, and best costume design, awarded to Shuhratjon Kamolov.
Other winners included:
- Best Debut Film: Jamshed Shoyev, “Ansor and Mubin”
- Best Cinematographer: Navruz Saidov, “A Moon for Churchill”
- Best Editing: Orzu Sharifov and Nigina Rajabova, “A Moon for Churchill”
- Best Short Film: Rustam Shoazimov, “Nafas”
- Best Documentary Film: Rustam Satorzoda, “Ancient Khuttal”
- Best Animated Film: Tahmina Muminova, “The Message”
- Best Actress: Amina Hafizova, “Distances”
- Best Actor: Pulod Nazimov, “A Moon for Churchill”
- Best Director: Abdulkhay Zokirov, “Roots”
- Best Co-production Film: Manzarali Sherali, “The Sun and the Moon”
- Special Jury Prize: Muhammadrobi Ismoil, “Nest of Love”
- Best Film Created Using Artificial Intelligence: Komiljon Safarov, “The Sun Thief”
- Best Feature Film: Zafar Ali, “Sabr”
- Prize marking the 35th anniversary of Tajikistan’s independence: Nosir Rahmon, for the documentary “Anthem of Independence”
- Outstanding Contribution to Tajik Cinema: Vladimir Malyshev, rector of the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in Moscow.
Earlier, Fayzullo Fayzov, director of “The Radiance of Stars: Jami and Navoi,” spoke to Asia-Plus about the film’s production, changes in its cast and collaboration with Uzbek colleagues.