Success stories of our graduates
Our Graduate’s Documentary “Children of the Mountains” Returns with Awards from International Festivals
The documentary film “Children of the Mountains”, directed by Guliza Abdykamilova, a 2025 graduate of the Radio, Television and Cinema Department of the Faculty of Communication at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, has attracted attention with the awards it received at international film festivals. In an interview conducted by our faculty reporters Altynai Dosubekova and Asylai Toroeva, the young director spoke about the creation process of “Children of the Mountains”, its international success story, and the contribution of her education at KTMU to this journey.
“Children of the Mountains” Continues Its Festival Journey with Awards
Directed by Guliza Abdykamilova, “Children of the Mountains” has begun to make a name for itself thanks to the awards it has received at international festivals. Previously producing various short films as part of her coursework, the young director’s first professional documentary returned with awards from prestigious festivals held in Türkiye, Russia, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan. The film won the TRT Special Award at the “Future Communicators” competition in Türkiye and took second place at the “Turkic World Documentary Film Festival.” In addition, “Children of the Mountains” received the “Best Director” award at the “Vertikal” Festival in Moscow and was honored with the “Diploma of Sincerity” at the “Eurasia.Doc” Festival in Belarus.
“The Opportunities Provided by KTMU Played a Decisive Role in My Journey to Success”
In her interview with our reporters Altynai and Asylai, Guliza Abdykamilova explains that her choice of Manas University was influenced by its high-quality education system, international opportunities, and practice-oriented learning environment. She states that the creative environment offered by the university gave her the courage to express her thoughts through cinema. Describing her years at Manas as “a turning point” in her life, Guliza emphasizes that one of the university’s greatest advantages is the opportunities it offers to students. She highlights that fully funded education and scholarship opportunities provided significant ease.
She also notes that the educational process is not limited to theory; the faculty offers an environment where students can bring their own projects to life. “We truly had the opportunity to create here. This gave me creative freedom and taught me how to express my own perspective through the language of cinema,” she says. In addition to professional knowledge, Guliza adds that Manas provided her with a strong philosophical perspective and a rich social environment, allowing her to meet ambitious individuals and build lasting friendships.
“Children of the Mountains” Became the Story of a World She Knows Closely
Speaking about the creation process of the film, Guliza Abdykamilova notes that it is actually based on her own life and a world she knows very well. She explains that the idea for the film took shape based on her father’s suggestion. In order to explore the subject more deeply, she traveled to her hometown, the Nookat district, where she began working on the script in the autumn, while filming took place in winter, in January. Guliza emphasizes that this documentary, which she realized as her graduation project, holds special meaning for her as it allowed her to put into practice the theoretical knowledge she had gained over four years. She explains that the production process consisted of many stages, including choosing the subject, writing the script, forming a team, technical preparation, interacting with the characters, and editing.
According to her, this process provided not only filmmaking experience but also taught her patience, strong observation skills, and the ability to build meaningful connections with people.
“Children of the Mountains”: The Story of a Silent Struggle for Access to Education
Guliza Abdykamilova explains that “Children of the Mountains” is not just a documentary, but a story about children who do not give up on education despite difficult conditions. According to her, the film focuses on the daily lives of students studying in a small school located in a mountainous region, highlighting their struggle for education intertwined with both nature and hardship. The documentary raises the question: “Is education truly equally accessible for every child?” and strikingly reveals the contrast between digitally supported educational environments in cities and the reality in remote areas, where education depends on teachers’ personal efforts and limited resources. The film portrays how children sometimes cross snow-covered roads or even ride donkeys to reach school, while also showing the dedication of teachers who continue to bring knowledge and hope despite all difficulties. In this sense, Guliza sees her film as a tribute not only to children but also to the value of education and respect for the teaching profession. She also emphasizes that the title “Children of the Mountains” holds special meaning for her. It is not merely a geographical description; the harsh conditions of the mountains shape these children not only physically but also in character. She states that she wanted the documentary to show how strong, resilient, and brave these children are. Just as mountains symbolize purity and greatness, these children also carry a desire to reach knowledge and higher goals.
Cold, Road and Hardships… But a Story of a Team That Never Gave Up
Guliza Abdykamilova notes that “Children of the Mountains” is not only the story of the children in front of the camera but also of the effort behind it. Since the filming took place in January, the team embarked on a long and exhausting journey from Bishkek to Osh.
Harsh winter conditions, mountain roads, freezing temperatures, and technical difficulties occasionally made the process challenging. However, according to Guliza, these hardships deepened the spirit of the film.
She explains that in documentary filmmaking, things do not always go as planned, and sometimes the most genuine and powerful moments emerge unexpectedly. The three-day shoot required particular sensitivity when working with children, and technical issues at high altitudes, along with the cold, challenged everyone. Despite this, the team worked with great dedication and solidarity. She also highlights the special role of her family, especially her father, whose support—both moral and practical—was invaluable throughout the filming process. According to Guliza, sometimes the most invisible support behind a film is the strongest force that keeps it standing.
“The Support of the University and the Guidance of Professors Strengthened the Process”
Guliza Abdykamilova states that the technical and academic support provided by the university was crucial in the creation of “Children of the Mountains.” She notes that all necessary technical equipment, including cameras, sound recording devices, and lighting, was provided by KTMU, which played a key role in bringing the project to life in a strong and high-quality way.
She also emphasizes that, alongside technical resources, the guidance and constructive contributions of her professors were equally important. She explains that Stambulbek Mambetaliev, the film’s art director and producer, guided her throughout every stage of the process and continues to support her. According to her, his contribution has been instrumental in helping the film gain visibility on international platforms. She adds that the film, which recently became a finalist at the “Unknown Russia” festival in Moscow, was also promoted with his support.
“Forge Your Own Path with Courage”
In her interview, Guliza Abdykamilova offers young people not only professional advice but also a personal roadmap. She emphasizes the importance of following one’s ideas and notes that every great success begins with a small step. She stresses that one should not be afraid of making mistakes, as they are a natural part of learning and growth. She adds that reading books, watching films, and continuously learning expand one’s mindset, while the right environment strengthens motivation. Highlighting that the most important thing is to listen to one’s inner voice, she addresses young people with these words: “Choose the path your heart leads you to. I believe that everyone has their own path and their own timing in life. That is why, without comparing yourself to others, moving forward at your own pace is what leads to true success.”
