Next Field International Arranged High-Level Meetings in Hollywood for Uzbekistan’s Center for the Development of Children’s Content
From September 5–13, a delegation from Uzbekistan’s Center for the Development of Children’s Content, facilitated by Next Field International, visited Los Angeles to hold talks on engaging leading Hollywood companies in developing the children’s content industry in Uzbekistan.
The Center’s Director, acclaimed film director Jahongir Ahmedov, met with Hayma Washington—a Vice President at Disney, former Chairman of the Television Academy (USA), and a seven-time Emmy Award winner. The parties discussed opportunities to collaborate on advancing children’s television in Uzbekistan. This first-ever meeting between Uzbekistan and Disney’s top management laid the groundwork for further cooperation.
The delegation from the Center and Next Field International also held productive talks with the “father of U.S. children’s television,” renowned producer Tommy Lynch. They discussed feature-length animated projects—“Farhod and Shirin” and “Shirak”—aimed at world-class production standards and potential distribution on international streaming platforms and in cinemas.
The award-winning animation studio Lion Forge Entertainment—recognized for creating films that spotlight cultures little known to global audiences—drew particular interest from the Center. The parties explored co-productions based on Uzbekistan’s rich history and traditions. In a meeting with Park Studio, they discussed producing the first national anime series, with work planned to begin in 2025.
The delegation from the Center and Next Field International also met with numerous prominent directors, screenwriters, and producers to discuss their involvement in Center projects in Uzbekistan. Notably, celebrated children’s director Paul Hoen, a two-time Directors Guild of America Award winner, may be engaged to help develop children’s musical television in Uzbekistan. Vijal Patel, a screenwriter for ABC, Nickelodeon, and Disney, expressed interest in working with emerging Uzbek screenwriters.
A separate priority for Next Field International was to establish educational opportunities for young professionals from Uzbekistan. With the Los Angeles Film School, agreements were reached to design a special one-month upskilling program for Uzbek professionals in Hollywood. The school was also invited to consider opening a branch campus in Uzbekistan, which could become a hub for young specialists across Central Asia.
Training pathways were also discussed with the renowned California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)—alma mater of legendary filmmakers such as Tim Burton. CalArts indicated its readiness to consider applications from Uzbek applicants and to welcome Uzbek professionals to a special summer program.
From September 5–13, a delegation from Uzbekistan’s Center for the Development of Children’s Content, facilitated by Next Field International, visited Los Angeles to hold talks on engaging leading Hollywood companies in developing the children’s content industry in Uzbekistan.
The Center’s Director, acclaimed film director Jahongir Ahmedov, met with Hayma Washington—a Vice President at Disney, former Chairman of the Television Academy (USA), and a seven-time Emmy Award winner. The parties discussed opportunities to collaborate on advancing children’s television in Uzbekistan. This first-ever meeting between Uzbekistan and Disney’s top management laid the groundwork for further cooperation.
The delegation from the Center and Next Field International also held productive talks with the “father of U.S. children’s television,” renowned producer Tommy Lynch. They discussed feature-length animated projects—“Farhod and Shirin” and “Shirak”—aimed at world-class production standards and potential distribution on international streaming platforms and in cinemas.
The award-winning animation studio Lion Forge Entertainment—recognized for creating films that spotlight cultures little known to global audiences—drew particular interest from the Center. The parties explored co-productions based on Uzbekistan’s rich history and traditions. In a meeting with Park Studio, they discussed producing the first national anime series, with work planned to begin in 2025.
The delegation from the Center and Next Field International also met with numerous prominent directors, screenwriters, and producers to discuss their involvement in Center projects in Uzbekistan. Notably, celebrated children’s director Paul Hoen, a two-time Directors Guild of America Award winner, may be engaged to help develop children’s musical television in Uzbekistan. Vijal Patel, a screenwriter for ABC, Nickelodeon, and Disney, expressed interest in working with emerging Uzbek screenwriters.
A separate priority for Next Field International was to establish educational opportunities for young professionals from Uzbekistan. With the Los Angeles Film School, agreements were reached to design a special one-month upskilling program for Uzbek professionals in Hollywood. The school was also invited to consider opening a branch campus in Uzbekistan, which could become a hub for young specialists across Central Asia.
Training pathways were also discussed with the renowned California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)—alma mater of legendary filmmakers such as Tim Burton. CalArts indicated its readiness to consider applications from Uzbek applicants and to welcome Uzbek professionals to a special summer program.