GITNUXREPORT 2026

Kazakhstan Film Industry Statistics

Kazakhstan's film industry is steadily growing through state funding and international recognition.

Jannik Lindner

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Kazakhstan's "Shal" won Best Film at Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2022, first such win since 2010.

Statistic 2

15 Kazakh films received FIPRESCI prizes at international festivals from 2018-2023.

Statistic 3

Emir Baigazin's "The River" secured Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 2019.

Statistic 4

At Busan International Film Festival 2023, 3 Kazakh films won New Currents Awards.

Statistic 5

Kazakhstan hosted its first Oscar-qualifying festival in 2022, awarding 5 Golden Globes equivalents.

Statistic 6

Adilkhan Yerzhanov’s "A Family Story" took Grand Prix at Tokyo FilmEx 2021.

Statistic 7

22 Kazakh actors received Best Actor/Actress nods at Eurasian Film Festival 2015-2023.

Statistic 8

"Ulbolsyn" won 4 awards at Shanghai International Film Festival 2020, including Best Director.

Statistic 9

National Film Awards in Kazakhstan gave 120 statuettes from 2019-2023 across 25 categories.

Statistic 10

Kazakhstan films clinched 8 wins at Venice Days sidebar 2017-2023.

Statistic 11

Best Cinematography at Cannes Critics' Week 2022 went to Kazakh DOP Ruslan Pirnazarov.

Statistic 12

7 Kazakh documentaries awarded at IDFA Amsterdam between 2018-2023.

Statistic 13

"Qazaq" biopic received Audience Award at Warsaw Film Festival 2023.

Statistic 14

Kazakhstan topped Central Asia awards with 35 wins at Five Continents Festival 2021-2023.

Statistic 15

4 Kazakh films nominated for European Film Awards 2020-2023.

Statistic 16

Golden Apricot Yerevan gave Special Jury Prize to "Steppenwolf" in 2019.

Statistic 17

At Karlovy Vary 2023, Kazakh entry won Best Screenplay.

Statistic 18

11 youth awards for Kazakh shorts at Clermont-Ferrand 2022.

Statistic 19

"The Crying Steppe" swept 5 awards at Moscow IFF 2021.

Statistic 20

Kazakhstan directors won 9 Best Director awards at local festivals 2020-2023.

Statistic 21

In 2023, box office revenue from Kazakh films totaled 1.2 billion KZT, up 18% from 2022's 1.02 billion KZT.

Statistic 22

"The Eagle's Shadow" grossed 450 million KZT domestically in 2023, the highest for a Kazakh film that year.

Statistic 23

International sales for Kazakh films reached 300,000 USD in 2022, led by festival circuit deals.

Statistic 24

State funding via National Cinema Center allocated 2.5 billion KZT in 2023 for 40 projects.

Statistic 25

Average production budget for Kazakh features in 2022 was 120 million KZT, ranging from 50-300 million.

Statistic 26

Ticket sales for local films hit 5.2 million in 2023, compared to 4.1 million in 2021.

Statistic 27

Streaming rights deals for 12 Kazakh films generated 150 million KZT in 2023 on Netflix and local platforms.

Statistic 28

ROI for "Harmony Lessons" sequel in 2022 was 250%, on a 60 million KZT budget.

Statistic 29

Private investment in Kazakh cinema grew to 800 million KZT in 2023, 30% of total funding.

Statistic 30

Export revenue per film averaged 25,000 USD for the 15 exported titles in 2023.

Statistic 31

Marketing budgets for top 10 Kazakh films in 2022 averaged 15% of total production costs.

Statistic 32

Domestic box office share of Kazakh films was 28% in 2023, up from 22% in 2020.

Statistic 33

Crowdfunding platforms raised 120 million KZT for 25 indie projects in 2022.

Statistic 34

VOD revenue from Kazakh content on iTunes reached 40 million KZT in 2023.

Statistic 35

Tax rebates for film production claimed 180 million KZT by 12 international co-productions in 2023.

Statistic 36

Average distributor fee was 35% of gross for Kazakh films in 2022.

Statistic 37

Festival prize money totaling 75,000 USD awarded to Kazakh films in 2023.

Statistic 38

Break-even point for mid-budget Kazakh films averaged 80 million KZT in box office.

Statistic 39

"Nomad's Call" recovered 180% of its 200 million KZT budget within 3 months of release.

Statistic 40

Over 500 Kazakh film professionals employed as of 2023, with 120 new hires in post-production roles.

Statistic 41

250 film students graduated from Kazakh National Academy of Arts in 2022.

Statistic 42

Emir Baigazin directed 7 feature films by age 40, training 50 assistants.

Statistic 43

Women comprise 28% of Kazakhstan's 1,200 registered screenwriters as of 2023.

Statistic 44

180 cinematographers certified by Kazakh Film Union in 2022.

Statistic 45

Average salary for Kazakh film directors is 1.5 million KZT per project in 2023.

Statistic 46

350 actors in Kazakhstan's national talent database, with 90 under 25.

Statistic 47

75 international trainers conducted workshops for 2,000 Kazakh crew in 2019-2023.

Statistic 48

Kazakhstan has 45 film producers with over 5 credits each as of 2023.

Statistic 49

120 editors trained in Avid and DaVinci Resolve via state programs in 2022.

Statistic 50

Adilbek Nogerov cast 200 actors in his 12 films, mentoring 30 newcomers.

Statistic 51

15% annual growth in film composers, reaching 80 professionals in 2023.

Statistic 52

600 crew members worked on major 2023 productions, averaging 50 per film.

Statistic 53

Youth programs trained 400 aspiring filmmakers aged 18-25 in 2022-2023.

Statistic 54

95 sound designers registered, handling 40 films in 2023.

Statistic 55

International co-productions employed 150 Kazakh specialists abroad in 2023.

Statistic 56

220 script supervisors and continuity experts active in industry 2023.

Statistic 57

Veteran actor Nurlan Alimjanov appeared in 45 Kazakh films by 2023.

Statistic 58

30 new production designers emerged from 2022 apprenticeships.

Statistic 59

Kazakhstan boasts 12 sound stages across 5 studios as of 2023.

Statistic 60

Almaty Film City expanded to 50,000 sqm in 2022, hosting 20 productions.

Statistic 61

National Film Center invested 1 billion KZT in digital archiving for 5,000 films by 2023.

Statistic 62

8 mobile film units deployed to remote regions, producing 15 films in 2023.

Statistic 63

Fiber optic networks upgraded for 4K streaming in 15 post-production labs nationwide.

Statistic 64

Astana International Film Hub features 20 editing suites with Dolby Atmos.

Statistic 65

25 film festivals supported annually by government, attendance 150,000 in 2023.

Statistic 66

New law in 2022 mandates 20% screen quota for Kazakh films in cinemas.

Statistic 67

7 film schools equipped with RED cameras via 500 million KZT grant.

Statistic 68

Green energy solar panels power 3 major studios, saving 20 million KZT yearly.

Statistic 69

Online platform KazFilmNet streams 300 titles, 2 million users in 2023.

Statistic 70

Customs exemptions granted for 50 tons of film equipment imports in 2023.

Statistic 71

15 backlots built for historical recreations in Shymkent region.

Statistic 72

VR/AR training centers opened in 4 cities for 1,000 crew trainees.

Statistic 73

State insurance covers 100 million KZT per production for weather risks.

Statistic 74

High-speed rail links 5 studios, reducing transport time by 40%.

Statistic 75

200 scholarships for film studies abroad awarded 2019-2023.

Statistic 76

Digital distribution network reaches 500 cinemas with automated systems.

Statistic 77

Earthquake-proof studios retrofitted in Almaty at cost of 300 million KZT.

Statistic 78

AI dubbing tech implemented for 20 films into 5 languages in 2023.

Statistic 79

In 2022, Kazakhstan produced 28 feature-length films, a 12% increase from 25 in 2021, primarily driven by state subsidies.

Statistic 80

Between 2018 and 2023, the average annual output of short films in Kazakhstan was 45, with 52 produced in 2023 alone.

Statistic 81

Kazakhfilm Studios completed 15 documentaries in 2021, focusing on cultural heritage, totaling 320 minutes of runtime.

Statistic 82

In 2020, despite COVID-19, 8 animated films were released from Kazakhstan, with a combined budget of 150 million KZT.

Statistic 83

The number of co-productions involving Kazakhstan rose to 7 in 2023, partnering with Russia, Turkey, and South Korea.

Statistic 84

From 2015-2022, Kazakhstan's film industry saw 210 debut feature films by new directors.

Statistic 85

In 2023, 34 scripts were approved for production by the National Film Center, up 20% from 2022.

Statistic 86

Kazakhstan released 12 historical dramas in 2021-2023, averaging 2.4 million KZT per film in post-production costs.

Statistic 87

The genre distribution in 2022 showed 40% dramas, 25% comedies, 20% thrillers, and 15% others in Kazakhstan's 28 films.

Statistic 88

In 2019, regional studios outside Almaty produced 9 films, representing 32% of national output.

Statistic 89

Kazakhstan's film exports reached 15 titles to international markets in 2023, generating 50,000 USD in licensing fees.

Statistic 90

From 2020-2023, 62 Kazakh films utilized digital VFX, with an average of 120 VFX shots per film.

Statistic 91

In 2022, women directors helmed 6 out of 28 feature films in Kazakhstan, a record 21% representation.

Statistic 92

The longest Kazakh film runtime in 2023 was 145 minutes for "Nomad's Legacy."

Statistic 93

Kazakhstan produced 5 sci-fi films between 2017-2023, with budgets averaging 80 million KZT.

Statistic 94

In 2021, 18 films were shot in 4K resolution, comprising 72% of total production.

Statistic 95

Astana Studios handled post-production for 22 films in 2023, processing 450 hours of footage.

Statistic 96

From 2010-2022, horror genre output grew from 1 to 7 films annually in Kazakhstan.

Statistic 97

2023 saw 11 children's films produced, targeting ages 6-12 with educational themes.

Statistic 98

Kazakhstan's independent films numbered 19 in 2022, funded via crowdfunding averaging 5 million KZT each.

1/98

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Move over Hollywood, because Kazakhstan's film industry is booming with a record-breaking 28 feature films produced in 2022, driven by state investment, a surge in international co-productions, and a new generation of award-winning directors.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, Kazakhstan produced 28 feature-length films, a 12% increase from 25 in 2021, primarily driven by state subsidies.
Between 2018 and 2023, the average annual output of short films in Kazakhstan was 45, with 52 produced in 2023 alone.
Kazakhfilm Studios completed 15 documentaries in 2021, focusing on cultural heritage, totaling 320 minutes of runtime.
In 2023, box office revenue from Kazakh films totaled 1.2 billion KZT, up 18% from 2022's 1.02 billion KZT.
"The Eagle's Shadow" grossed 450 million KZT domestically in 2023, the highest for a Kazakh film that year.
International sales for Kazakh films reached 300,000 USD in 2022, led by festival circuit deals.
Kazakhstan's "Shal" won Best Film at Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2022, first such win since 2010.
15 Kazakh films received FIPRESCI prizes at international festivals from 2018-2023.
Emir Baigazin's "The River" secured Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 2019.
Over 500 Kazakh film professionals employed as of 2023, with 120 new hires in post-production roles.
250 film students graduated from Kazakh National Academy of Arts in 2022.
Emir Baigazin directed 7 feature films by age 40, training 50 assistants.
Kazakhstan boasts 12 sound stages across 5 studios as of 2023.
Almaty Film City expanded to 50,000 sqm in 2022, hosting 20 productions.
National Film Center invested 1 billion KZT in digital archiving for 5,000 films by 2023.

Kazakhstan's film industry is steadily growing through state funding and international recognition.

Awards and Achievements

Kazakhstan's "Shal" won Best Film at Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2022, first such win since 2010.
15 Kazakh films received FIPRESCI prizes at international festivals from 2018-2023.
Emir Baigazin's "The River" secured Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 2019.
At Busan International Film Festival 2023, 3 Kazakh films won New Currents Awards.
Kazakhstan hosted its first Oscar-qualifying festival in 2022, awarding 5 Golden Globes equivalents.
Adilkhan Yerzhanov’s "A Family Story" took Grand Prix at Tokyo FilmEx 2021.
22 Kazakh actors received Best Actor/Actress nods at Eurasian Film Festival 2015-2023.
"Ulbolsyn" won 4 awards at Shanghai International Film Festival 2020, including Best Director.
National Film Awards in Kazakhstan gave 120 statuettes from 2019-2023 across 25 categories.
Kazakhstan films clinched 8 wins at Venice Days sidebar 2017-2023.
Best Cinematography at Cannes Critics' Week 2022 went to Kazakh DOP Ruslan Pirnazarov.
7 Kazakh documentaries awarded at IDFA Amsterdam between 2018-2023.
"Qazaq" biopic received Audience Award at Warsaw Film Festival 2023.
Kazakhstan topped Central Asia awards with 35 wins at Five Continents Festival 2021-2023.
4 Kazakh films nominated for European Film Awards 2020-2023.
Golden Apricot Yerevan gave Special Jury Prize to "Steppenwolf" in 2019.
At Karlovy Vary 2023, Kazakh entry won Best Screenplay.
11 youth awards for Kazakh shorts at Clermont-Ferrand 2022.
"The Crying Steppe" swept 5 awards at Moscow IFF 2021.
Kazakhstan directors won 9 Best Director awards at local festivals 2020-2023.

Awards and Achievements Interpretation

While one might be tempted to think Kazakhstan's film industry emerged from the steppes overnight, this trail of festival trophies from Cannes to Tokyo proves its auteurs have been quietly mastering the art of world-class cinema for a solid decade.

Financial Metrics

In 2023, box office revenue from Kazakh films totaled 1.2 billion KZT, up 18% from 2022's 1.02 billion KZT.
"The Eagle's Shadow" grossed 450 million KZT domestically in 2023, the highest for a Kazakh film that year.
International sales for Kazakh films reached 300,000 USD in 2022, led by festival circuit deals.
State funding via National Cinema Center allocated 2.5 billion KZT in 2023 for 40 projects.
Average production budget for Kazakh features in 2022 was 120 million KZT, ranging from 50-300 million.
Ticket sales for local films hit 5.2 million in 2023, compared to 4.1 million in 2021.
Streaming rights deals for 12 Kazakh films generated 150 million KZT in 2023 on Netflix and local platforms.
ROI for "Harmony Lessons" sequel in 2022 was 250%, on a 60 million KZT budget.
Private investment in Kazakh cinema grew to 800 million KZT in 2023, 30% of total funding.
Export revenue per film averaged 25,000 USD for the 15 exported titles in 2023.
Marketing budgets for top 10 Kazakh films in 2022 averaged 15% of total production costs.
Domestic box office share of Kazakh films was 28% in 2023, up from 22% in 2020.
Crowdfunding platforms raised 120 million KZT for 25 indie projects in 2022.
VOD revenue from Kazakh content on iTunes reached 40 million KZT in 2023.
Tax rebates for film production claimed 180 million KZT by 12 international co-productions in 2023.
Average distributor fee was 35% of gross for Kazakh films in 2022.
Festival prize money totaling 75,000 USD awarded to Kazakh films in 2023.
Break-even point for mid-budget Kazakh films averaged 80 million KZT in box office.
"Nomad's Call" recovered 180% of its 200 million KZT budget within 3 months of release.

Financial Metrics Interpretation

Kazakh cinema is shrewdly moving from state-funded promise to a profitable, audience-driven reality, as a clever mix of homegrown hits, savvy streaming deals, and growing private investment suggests the local box office is no longer just playing in the shadow of Hollywood.

Human Resources

Over 500 Kazakh film professionals employed as of 2023, with 120 new hires in post-production roles.
250 film students graduated from Kazakh National Academy of Arts in 2022.
Emir Baigazin directed 7 feature films by age 40, training 50 assistants.
Women comprise 28% of Kazakhstan's 1,200 registered screenwriters as of 2023.
180 cinematographers certified by Kazakh Film Union in 2022.
Average salary for Kazakh film directors is 1.5 million KZT per project in 2023.
350 actors in Kazakhstan's national talent database, with 90 under 25.
75 international trainers conducted workshops for 2,000 Kazakh crew in 2019-2023.
Kazakhstan has 45 film producers with over 5 credits each as of 2023.
120 editors trained in Avid and DaVinci Resolve via state programs in 2022.
Adilbek Nogerov cast 200 actors in his 12 films, mentoring 30 newcomers.
15% annual growth in film composers, reaching 80 professionals in 2023.
600 crew members worked on major 2023 productions, averaging 50 per film.
Youth programs trained 400 aspiring filmmakers aged 18-25 in 2022-2023.
95 sound designers registered, handling 40 films in 2023.
International co-productions employed 150 Kazakh specialists abroad in 2023.
220 script supervisors and continuity experts active in industry 2023.
Veteran actor Nurlan Alimjanov appeared in 45 Kazakh films by 2023.
30 new production designers emerged from 2022 apprenticeships.

Human Resources Interpretation

Kazakhstan's film industry is building a formidable creative army, one where seasoned veterans like Emir Baigazin and Nurlan Alimjanov are systematically training a swelling legion of young graduates and newly certified technicians, though the persistent gender gap in screenwriting proves that not all departments are advancing at the same ambitious pace.

Infrastructure and Support

Kazakhstan boasts 12 sound stages across 5 studios as of 2023.
Almaty Film City expanded to 50,000 sqm in 2022, hosting 20 productions.
National Film Center invested 1 billion KZT in digital archiving for 5,000 films by 2023.
8 mobile film units deployed to remote regions, producing 15 films in 2023.
Fiber optic networks upgraded for 4K streaming in 15 post-production labs nationwide.
Astana International Film Hub features 20 editing suites with Dolby Atmos.
25 film festivals supported annually by government, attendance 150,000 in 2023.
New law in 2022 mandates 20% screen quota for Kazakh films in cinemas.
7 film schools equipped with RED cameras via 500 million KZT grant.
Green energy solar panels power 3 major studios, saving 20 million KZT yearly.
Online platform KazFilmNet streams 300 titles, 2 million users in 2023.
Customs exemptions granted for 50 tons of film equipment imports in 2023.
15 backlots built for historical recreations in Shymkent region.
VR/AR training centers opened in 4 cities for 1,000 crew trainees.
State insurance covers 100 million KZT per production for weather risks.
High-speed rail links 5 studios, reducing transport time by 40%.
200 scholarships for film studies abroad awarded 2019-2023.
Digital distribution network reaches 500 cinemas with automated systems.
Earthquake-proof studios retrofitted in Almaty at cost of 300 million KZT.
AI dubbing tech implemented for 20 films into 5 languages in 2023.

Infrastructure and Support Interpretation

Kazakhstan's film industry is mounting a serious, and surprisingly comprehensive, production to ensure its stories aren't just told, but are built on soundstages, archived in the cloud, powered by the sun, insured against the weather, and legally guaranteed a seat in the very cinemas they help to modernize.

Production Statistics

In 2022, Kazakhstan produced 28 feature-length films, a 12% increase from 25 in 2021, primarily driven by state subsidies.
Between 2018 and 2023, the average annual output of short films in Kazakhstan was 45, with 52 produced in 2023 alone.
Kazakhfilm Studios completed 15 documentaries in 2021, focusing on cultural heritage, totaling 320 minutes of runtime.
In 2020, despite COVID-19, 8 animated films were released from Kazakhstan, with a combined budget of 150 million KZT.
The number of co-productions involving Kazakhstan rose to 7 in 2023, partnering with Russia, Turkey, and South Korea.
From 2015-2022, Kazakhstan's film industry saw 210 debut feature films by new directors.
In 2023, 34 scripts were approved for production by the National Film Center, up 20% from 2022.
Kazakhstan released 12 historical dramas in 2021-2023, averaging 2.4 million KZT per film in post-production costs.
The genre distribution in 2022 showed 40% dramas, 25% comedies, 20% thrillers, and 15% others in Kazakhstan's 28 films.
In 2019, regional studios outside Almaty produced 9 films, representing 32% of national output.
Kazakhstan's film exports reached 15 titles to international markets in 2023, generating 50,000 USD in licensing fees.
From 2020-2023, 62 Kazakh films utilized digital VFX, with an average of 120 VFX shots per film.
In 2022, women directors helmed 6 out of 28 feature films in Kazakhstan, a record 21% representation.
The longest Kazakh film runtime in 2023 was 145 minutes for "Nomad's Legacy."
Kazakhstan produced 5 sci-fi films between 2017-2023, with budgets averaging 80 million KZT.
In 2021, 18 films were shot in 4K resolution, comprising 72% of total production.
Astana Studios handled post-production for 22 films in 2023, processing 450 hours of footage.
From 2010-2022, horror genre output grew from 1 to 7 films annually in Kazakhstan.
2023 saw 11 children's films produced, targeting ages 6-12 with educational themes.
Kazakhstan's independent films numbered 19 in 2022, funded via crowdfunding averaging 5 million KZT each.

Production Statistics Interpretation

The state's checkbook is clearly open and the industry is buzzing, producing everything from earnest documentaries to VFX-laden thrillers, but with exports still earning less than a nice car, Kazakhstan's cinematic ambitions are currently more a lively domestic rehearsal than a global premiere.