It is no coincidence that the Shum Bola Film Festival takes its name from Shum Bola (The Mischief Maker), the celebrated novella by the renowned Uzbek poet and writer Gafur Ghulam, as well as from the popular film adaptation based on the book. In keeping with this spirit, the festival programme features films for children and young audiences centred on friendship, growing up and adventure.

Screenings will be held in German with Uzbek and Russian subtitles. According to the organisers, the project gives children and young people an opportunity to engage with contemporary European cinema and discover different perspectives on the world.

This year, the festival first takes place in Khujand and Konibodom, Tajikistan, on 13–14 April, before continuing in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 15–17 April. Admission is free, and screenings run daily from 10:30 to 15:00.