The film industry of Almaty -
Cinema tourism in Kazakhstan and Central Asia -
The Kazakhfilm studio named after Shaken Aimanov is the main forge of cinema in Kazakhstan, a symbol of its cultural and spiritual wealth. It is located in a picturesque place in the south of Almaty, at the foot of the Trans-Ili Alatau Mountains, which in itself creates an inspiring atmosphere for creativity. Founded back in 1934, the studio has come a long way from a small chronicle site to a modern world-class cinema center.
Films that have glorified Kazakhstan far beyond its borders have been created here and continue to be created. Kazakhfilm unites directors, actors, screenwriters, cameramen, artists and other artists who put their hearts into the development of national cinema. Today, the studio is not only a filming location, but also the most important cultural institution of the country, reflecting its history, philosophy and inner world.
History
The history of the film studio began with the founding of the Alma Ata Newsreel Studio, which created documentaries and news films. During the Great Patriotic War, the largest film studios of the Soviet Union, Mosfilm and Lenfilm, were evacuated here. It was then that a unique creative environment was forming in Alma Ata: masters of Soviet and Kazakh cinema worked nearby, exchanged experiences and created paintings that went down in history.
After the war, the studio became the center of Kazakh art cinema. In the 1950s and 1960s, the first national stars appeared - Shaken Aimanov, Nurmukhan Zhanturin, Asanali Ashimov. These years became an era of prosperity: such films as "Kyz Zhibek", "My name is Kozha", "Trans-Siberian Express", which brought Kazakhstan worldwide recognition, were released on the screens.
In 1984, the studio was named after Shaken Aimanov, an outstanding director, actor and public figure who is considered the father of Kazakh cinema. In the post-Soviet years, Kazakhfilm went through a difficult period, but was able to preserve its creative foundation and traditions, starting a new stage in the late 1990s modernization, digitalization and entry into the international arena.
Over its more than 80-year history, more than 500 art paintings have been created here, which have become classics and educated several generations of viewers. Today, historical dramas, documentaries and animated films, TV series and international projects representing Kazakhstan in the world are shot at the studio.
Architecture and territory
The Kazakhfilm complex is a whole cinema city, where every corner breathes history. The studio's territory covers dozens of hectares and includes pavilions for filming, decoration workshops, editing rooms, storage of props and sound studios. The main entrance is decorated with a laconic facade in the style of late Soviet modernism, with wide staircases and stained-glass windows reflecting the mountain landscape. Spacious courtyards are often used as film sets where you can recreate entire cities, steppe expanses or scenes from distant eras.
The architecture of the buildings emphasizes functionality and scale, while preserving national motifs – ornaments, lines and elements inspired by nomadic culture. There is a working atmosphere inside: the noise of equipment, the smell of scenery, the sound of footsteps along long corridors where there are many posters of old movies. There is a monument to Shaken Aimanov, the man who turned this studio into a center of attraction for Kazakh art.
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How to get there and visit -
The Kazakhfilm studio named after Sh. Aimanov is located in Almaty at 176 Al-Farabi Avenue, corner of Gagarin Street, Bostandyk district, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°11'49"N 76°54'06"E
You can get to Kazakhfilm by bus. № 15, 30, 31, 32, 34, 38, 63 ,67, 77, 86, 101, 103, 116 135. It is always better to use taxi services via the mobile app or to get to the film studio by private car.
Working hours: Monday-Friday 09.00 to 18.00 (Saturday-Sunday – day off)
Contacts: +7 727 302 16 77; +7 727 302 11 66
The official website of the film studio
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Legend and cultural significance
There are many beautiful legends associated with Kazakhfilm. It is believed that the place where the studio stands has been a place of power since ancient times – here, at the foot of the mountains, in ancient times, akyns gathered, telling epics and songs to the people. Their words, according to legend, became the "first cinema" of the Kazakh land, because they brought images to life in front of the audience, like directors and actors of the future. Therefore, it is no coincidence that the main film factory of the country appeared here.
There is also a legend that in one of the pavilions you can still hear the soft sound of an old film, as if the spirits of great directors and actors were guarding the studio walls. For Kazakhstanis, Kazakhfilm is not just a place of work for cinematographers, but a symbol of creative immortality, national pride and the memory of generations.
Modernity and development
Today, Kazakhfilm is actively modernizing and reaching a new level. The studio has implemented digital technologies, modern pavilions and special effects systems, as well as color correction and sound laboratories. Large scale historical paintings are produced - "Tomiris", "The Path of the Leader", "The Kazakh Khanate. Diamond Sword" and many others that have gained recognition not only in Kazakhstan, but also abroad.
The studio cooperates with such film giants as Netflix, Warner Bros., Korean and Turkish companies, trains young directors and cameramen. Kazakhfilm also actively participates in international festivals, representing Kazakhstan on the cultural map of the world. Today it is not just a film studio, but a center that unites the past, present and future of Kazakh cinema, a place where dreams of great art become reality.
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