Kazakh film companies submit over 500 applications for state funding

The beautiful nature of Kazakhstan in world blockbusters! Well-known foreign companies plan to shoot films on the country’s territory. Early this year, applications were received from major players in the film industry such as France and Russia. Adai Abeldinov, General Producer of the State Center for Support of National Cinema, told this in an interview to Qazaq TV. Similar agreements had been made earlier too, but the pandemic has made adjustments to the plans, Abeldinov added.

“In 2019, before the pandemic hit, there were certain agreements between our Center and foreign companies such as the U.S. company NBCUniversal, Lights Gates, Warner Bros. Pictures, Discovery and Global Film that would allow them to shoot films at our locations. These companies showed interest in Kazakhstan’s locations,” said Adai Abeldinov, General Producer, State Center for Support of National Cinema.

Last year, despite the unstable situation due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Center supported an unprecedented number of projects and shaped the development vector for many areas in the film industry. Thus, 39 projects received funding. These are eight feature films, seven documentaries, five animation movies, one arthouse film, two co-productions, nine short films and five debuts. In addition, Kazakh filmmakers released a film dedicated to the 175th birth anniversary of the great poet Abai Kunanbaiuly and shot one more picture as part of the ‘Alystagy Agaiyn’ competition.

“Just a week ago, we finished the third pitching of the film projects. This year we had an unprecedented number of applications. Over 500 applications for state funding were received from various Kazakh movie production companies. There are also co-productions with foreign producers. Until the final commission, we have no right to disclose neither their quantity nor quality. So for today we can just say that there are more and more projects applying for state funding every year,” said Adai Abeldinov, General Producer, State Center for Support of National Cinema.

And those who have not applied this year can do so next year. All filmmakers can count on state support on equal terms, the Center noted. Whether it is the author's work or arthouse films, as well as commercial films aimed at a wide audience. Every year, Kazakh films participate and win at the largest and most popular festivals.

 

Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova

Editing by Saule Mukhamejanova