Gulshat Omarova facts for kids

Gulshat Omarova (born October 8, 1968) is a talented film director, actress, and screenwriter from Kazakhstan. She is also known as Guka Omarova. Gulshat was born in Alma-Ata, which was then part of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. Today, she lives in Rotterdam, Netherlands. In 2004, she won the Alice Award for Best Female Director at the Copenhagen International Film Festival for her movie Shiza.

Gulshat Omarova's Life Story

Gulshat Omarova grew up in Alma-Ata. Her father, Dias Omarov, was a sports writer. Her mother worked for a newspaper. Gulshat's grandmother was in charge of the famous "Medeo" ice skating rink. Her grandfather was an important official in the government.

Starting Her Film Journey

Gulshat began her film career very young. In 1984, when she was just 14, she acted in a movie called "Sladkiy sok vnutri travy". This film was written and directed by Sergei Bodrov. After finishing school, Gulshat wanted to study filmmaking in Moscow. She met with Sergei Gerasimov, a famous Soviet film director. He advised her to apply the next year.

That same year, Sergei Bodrov helped her get a chance to study film. She was watched by an apprentice of Alexey Batalov, another well-known director. The apprentice was very impressed by Gulshat's determination. They told her she could join without exams the following year. However, Gulshat decided to return to Alma-Ata. She started studying journalism by correspondence instead.

Working in Media and Advertising

After graduating from journalism school, Gulshat worked in television. She took on various roles, including administrator and courier. Later, she worked in advertising for a company in Kazakhstan.

Gulshat Omarova and Sergei Bodrov later wrote the script for the film "Sisters". This movie was released in 2001. Since the early 2000s, Gulshat has lived in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with her son and husband. In 2004, Sergei Bodrov released the film Shiza. This movie was Gulshat's first time directing a film. She also co-wrote and co-produced it with Bodrov.

Awards and Recognition

In 2004, Gulshat received the Alice Award for "Best Female Director" for her film "Shiza". This award was given at the Copenhagen International Film Festival. Her 2007 film "Mongol" was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

Education and Career Highlights

From 1983 to 1986, while still in school, Gulshat Omarova acted in several films. These included "When You Are 12", "Sweet Juice Inside the Grass", "Non-Professionals", and "Dina Nurpeisova". After school, she attended the Higher School of the Union of Cinematographers in Moscow and graduated.

Early Career Steps

From 1986 to 1988, she worked in television. She was an administrator and an assistant director.

Later, she studied Journalism at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. She graduated in 1994. During her university years, Gulshat also worked. She was an assistant administrator, courier, and general helper in television.

She then worked as an advertising specialist for a company.

Gulshat also worked as a journalist for radio and television. She helped with films like "Tick", "Podkop" (from Kazakhfilm), and "Anomaly" (from Kyrgyzfilm). From 1994 to 1997, she worked in the marketing department of an international company.

At the same time, she studied at the State Academy of Arts. She focused on documentary film and television directing. She graduated from the academy in 1998.

Gulshat Omarova's Films