Kazakh Film Bauryna Salu Wins Best Feature Film at 23rd Ischia Film Festival
Astana, The Gulf Observer: Bauryna Salu, a film by renowned Kazakh director Askhat Kuchincherekov, has been awarded Best Feature Film at the 23rd Ischia Film Festival, held on the picturesque Italian island of Ischia, the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan announced.
The acclaimed film was produced with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the State Center for Support of National Cinema. Its recent recognition in Italy marks another milestone in its impressive international journey.
Bauryna Salu has already garnered a series of prestigious accolades, including Best Youth Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, the Grand Prix at the Baku International Film Festival, and a special award at the Cinema Heritage Festival in France. Cinematographer Zhanarbek Yeleubek also received the Best Cinematography Award at the 10th Asia World Film Festival, further underscoring the film’s artistic excellence.
In recognition of its cultural depth and cinematic achievement, Bauryna Salu was officially submitted by Kazakhstan as its entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2025 Academy Awards.
The film tells the poignant story of a young boy growing up in rural Kazakhstan. In line with the nomadic tradition of Bauryna Salu—in which a child is raised not by their biological parents but by a close relative, often a grandparent—the boy is handed over to his grandmother at birth. After her passing, the boy, now 12 years old, returns to live with his birth parents for the first time and faces the emotional challenge of reconnecting with a family he never truly knew.
Through its sensitive portrayal of familial bonds, tradition, and identity, Bauryna Salu has resonated deeply with audiences and critics worldwide. Its international success reflects the growing strength of Kazakhstan’s film industry and its ability to bring authentic national stories to the global stage.
