Budapest, 14 October 2026 – From 12 to 14 October 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hungary organized the Kazakh Film Days in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Shaken Aimanov Kazakhfilm Studio.
The cultural event, held at the historic Uránia National Film Theatre, aimed to promote Kazakh cinema internationally, introduce Hungarian audiences to Kazakhstan’s rich historical and cultural heritage, and further develop cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.
As part of the three-day programme, audiences were presented with three feature films reflecting different periods of Kazakhstan’s history, national values and cultural traditions, as well as contemporary social issues.
The Film Days opened on 12 October with the screening of “Amre”, a historical biographical film dedicated to the life and artistic career of the outstanding Kazakh singer Amre Kashaubayev. Amre Kashaubayev is recognized as one of the first representatives of Kazakh musical art to gain international recognition in Europe.
On 13 October, a screening of the contemporary Kazakh drama “Restart” was held. The film explores themes of personal choice, responsibility, human relationships and moral values.
The Kazakh Film Days concluded on 14 October with the screening of the historical drama “The Road to Mother”. Set against the backdrop of tragic events in the history of the Kazakh people, the film explores the power of maternal love, the resilience of the human spirit and the complexities of human destiny.
The highlight of the programme was the official ceremony and reception held on 13 October. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of Hungarian government institutions and public organizations, business and cultural communities, members of the Kazakh diaspora and students.
H.E. Ms. Anel Bakytbekkyzy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Hungary, delivered welcoming remarks to the guests.
In her address, the Ambassador emphasized the role of culture and cinema as important instruments of public diplomacy, contributing to stronger mutual understanding and trust between peoples and the development of friendly relations.
It was also noted that Kazakh cinema, combining national traditions with contemporary artistic approaches, offers international audiences an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Kazakhstan’s history, culture and spiritual values.
The Ambassador highlighted that the traditionally friendly relations between Kazakhstan and Hungary are based on mutual respect, historical and cultural affinities, and a shared commitment to further expanding multifaceted cooperation.
In this context, developing cultural and humanitarian ties, strengthening cooperation between creative communities, and implementing joint cultural initiatives remain important areas for further deepening the partnership between Kazakhstan and Hungary.
One of the significant aspects of the event was the special visit of representatives of Kazakhstan’s film industry to Budapest, providing an opportunity for direct interaction with Hungarian audiences and representatives of the cultural sector.
Among the distinguished guests were renowned Kazakh actor Sanzhar Madi, who played the leading role in “Amre”; Zhalyn Tleubergenov, producer of “Restart”; and Gulzat Shurenova-Kalishuk, Head of the Distribution and Marketing Department at the Shaken Aimanov Kazakhfilm Studio.
The participation of representatives of Kazakhstan’s film industry gave audiences an opportunity to learn more about developments in contemporary Kazakh cinema, the filmmaking process, and prospects for promoting Kazakh films internationally.
The Kazakh Film Days attracted more than 200 guests, including representatives of Hungarian government and public institutions, the diplomatic corps, business and cultural communities, members of the Kazakh diaspora and students.
The films attracted audience interest and showcased the diversity of Kazakh cinema, demonstrating its ability to explore both significant chapters of national history and universal human values that resonate with international audiences.
The Kazakh Film Days in Budapest marked an important milestone in cultural relations between Kazakhstan and Hungary, contributing to the expansion of people-to-people ties, strengthening mutual interest in the cultural heritage of both nations, and raising Kazakhstan’s profile in Hungary.
