The creation of the Faculty of Cinema on the basis of the Almaty State Theater and Art Institute in 1993 was a historic turning point in the formation of the national film school in Kazakhstan and gave a new impetus to the training of a new generation of specialists. Currently, the Faculty of Cinema and TV is one of the leading creative centers in Kazakhstan and Central Asia for the training of highly qualified personnel in the field of screen art and media
HISTORY OF THE FACULTY OF CINEMA AND TELEVISION
Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after Temirbek Zhurgenov is an educational institution that traditionally occupies a leading position among creative universities in the country and Central Asia.
In 1993, he studied at the Almaty Kazakh State Institute of Theater and Cinema.The Faculty of Cinema was opened by Temirbek Zhurgenov. The initiative to open the Faculty of Cinema was initiated by well-known specialists holding positions in the country’s film industry: Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, film critic, Candidate of Art History, Professor Nugerbek Bauyrzhan Ramazanovich and founder of Kazakh animation, Honored Worker of the Kazakh SSR, animation director Amen Abzhanovich Khaidarov.
The first faculty members included: animation directors A. Khaidarov, E. Abdrakhmanov, G. Bekishev; film critics: B. Nogerbek, R. Ospanova, G. Abikeeva, K. Ainagulova, K. Alimbayeva; film directors: V. Pusurmanov, T. Temenov, S. Narymbetov; theater and film actor T. Zhamankulov; cinematographers: A. Kasteev, E. Daulbaev; playwrights: A. Tarazi, L. Akynzhanova, journalist and prominent public figure K. Smailov.
The first deans of the Faculty of Cinema and TV were: V. Pusurmanov, E. Abdrakhmanov, E. Daulbaev. In subsequent years, the faculty was headed by specialists in cinematography and television: M. Abzelbayev, G. Abildina, A. Baigozhina, G. Nauryzbekova, A. Baibekov, D. Kayip, B. Nurpeis, S. Bekniyazova, G. Mursalimova.
The Faculty of Cinema and TV is one of the leading collectives in the country, recognized for high-quality activities in the field of education in cinematography and television art. In its activities, the faculty continues the traditions that have developed over the decades within the framework of modern processes of development of screen art in the world, the National School of Cinematography and Television.
At the present stage, the dean of the Faculty of Cinema and TV is a PhD, a graduate of the New York Film Academy under the Bolashak international program (New York, USA) – Madina Kairatzhanovna Bakeeva. The deputy dean of the faculty is Bekbasheva Korkem Sauykbaykyzy. Today, the faculty has three departments. These are the Department of «Directing screen art», the head is PhD Abishev Serikzhanovich, the department of «Sound Engineering and Cinematography», the head is Associate Professor Aliya Tokenovna Myrzasheva, the head of the Department of «Directing animation and interactive media» is PhD Abeldinov Adai Kunanbaevich.
The curriculum at the faculty is based on modern principles of screen art development. The purpose of the faculty is to develop the creative potential of the younger generation, train future specialists in accordance with the requirements of the media and film market, and educate personnel for the Kazakh and international creative industries. The educational program consists of five areas – Directing (feature film directing, TV directing); Animation directing, Audio Production (Film and TV sound engineering, musical sound engineering); Cinematography (cinematography and TV) and Рhotography.
In the 2025-2026 academic year, a new educational program «Рroducing television and film projects» was created at the faculty.
There are a number of active projects aimed at developing students’ practical, industrial and creative skills. Among them are the «SHAKEN» film club, dedicated to cultural values in the field of art, the «Oner Hub» academic television studio, aimed at developing artistic and cultural potential, the «ZHURGENOV Podcast» media project, reflecting the life and creative experience of students, and «Zhurgenov Life», which includes important moments in the life of the academy. These initiatives will improve the professional skills of students and implement a full-fledged production process in the field of film and television. The faculty has signed cooperation agreements on the implementation of the project «Laboratory of Screenwriting Skills», aimed at developing students’ practical and theoretical skills, as well as with Yandex in the field of digital media and modern communication technologies.
The faculty is always actively involved in domestic and international festivals, and often takes prizes. Among them are Ascension, Urker, Bastau, Baiqonyr Film Festival, Josiah Media Festival, Kinovertikal, Curtas Festival de Imaxinario, Cinema Love, Oblaka Film Festival, Gandhara Independent Film Festival and many others.
In order to share experiences, he participates in the student exchange program in the field of art, and has been working in the academic mobility model for students for many years. The Academy maintains close ties with many foreign universities and concludes cooperation contracts with them. Among them, according to the Faculty of Film and Television, are the New York Film Academy (USA), Mimar Sinan University of the Arts (Turkey, Istanbul), the Korean University of Media Arts, the Korean University of K-ARTS (Korea), the Latvian Academy of Culture (Latvia), the University of Sheqin (Poland), the Taiwan National University of Arts (Taiwan), the S. Gerasimov All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography (Russia) and other universities. According to the results of the competition, students who speak foreign languages at a very high level are sent to foreign educational institutions.
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03.11.2025
