The joint film by filmmakers from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, ‘Magtymguly Pyragy’, has been included in the official programme of the 7th Lendoc Film Festival (LEFF), which will take place in St Petersburg from 20 to 22 August. This was reported by the Orient news agency.

The film was produced by the Oguzhan ‘Türkmenfilm’ Association and the Cinematography Agency of Uzbekistan under the direction of director Muzaffarkhon Erkinov. This historical biopic explores the poet’s formative years, his studies at the madrasahs of Bukhara and Khiva, and his ideas on the unity of peoples. The lead role is played by the Turkmen actor Ahmet Amandurdyev.

The film was made to mark the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Pyragy’s birth. Previously, the film won the top prize in the ‘Best Feature Film’ category at the 4th ‘Gorkut-Ata’ International Film Festival in Ashgabat and first prize at the ‘Turan’ Film Festival in Turkey. It also won the Audience Award at the ECG Film Festival in London and was selected for the competition programmes of the ‘Eurasia’ Festival in Almaty and the ‘Altyn Minbar’ Festival in Kazan.

LEFF 2026 will feature 40 feature films and documentaries from 13 countries, including Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, China, India, Iran and Belarus. One of the festival’s objectives is to foster international co-productions and joint film projects.