A large-scale and genre-defining project has entered Kazakhstan’s film market. Tolqyn Film Fund, a private investment fund managed by Dasco Capital, has invested in a new feature-length folk action film titled Shymyr. Filming began in January, and the movie is scheduled for theatrical release on May 7, DKNews.kz reports.
This project marks Tolqyn Film Fund’s fourth investment in cinema. The film is being produced by New Era Films. According to the creators, Shymyr is not just another action movie, but a film with a strong national character, tough dramatic structure, and a story that speaks directly to society.
A director behind billion-tenge box office hits
The film is directed by Anvar Matjanov, one of the most commercially successful directors in modern Kazakh cinema. His films have repeatedly crossed the billion-tenge mark at the domestic box office.
Among his most successful projects:
- Taptym-au seni - over 1.8 billion tenge
- Brother or Marriage 3 - 1.3 billion tenge
- Business in Kazakh Style in India - 1.3 billion tenge
- Taptym-au seni 2 and Business in Kazakh Style in Turkey - each exceeding 1.1 billion tenge
Matjanov is known for creating fast-paced, audience-friendly films that combine commercial appeal with confident visual storytelling.
The screenplay for Shymyr was written by Adilkhan Yerzhanov, Kuanysh Tokhanov, and Ainur Mubarova. Yerzhanov is internationally recognized as one of Kazakhstan’s most distinctive filmmakers, known for his uncompromising style, social realism, and sharp authorial voice.
A powerful ensemble cast
Shymyr brings together a strong group of well-known Kazakh actors, carefully selected for both dramatic depth and physical credibility.
The cast includes:
- Yerkebulan Daiyrov (No. 37, Taúbe, Qash)
- Azamat Satybaldy (Baqyt Qushagynda, Captain Baitassov, Racketeer 2)
- Akbota Nur (Songy Mahabbat, Adal Alayaqtary, Magan Nazar Audar)
- Abilmansur Serikov (5:32, Hunt for the Pink Rabbit, Dos-Muqasan)
- Olzhas Togymbet (Businessman, Mother’s Heart)
- Ashim Akhmetov (Qaitadan, At Least in Cinema, Qajymuqan)
- Yeldos Shaikenov (Qara Bekire, Dos-Muqasan)
- Almat Sakatov (Qaitadan, Qajymuqan)
According to the producers, the casting focused on authenticity, physical preparedness, and the actors’ ability to convincingly embody characters grounded in reality.
Action, national code, and raw energy
Shymyr is positioned as an authentic Kazakh action film with a strong national identity. The film features original fight choreography, complex stunt work, and a tough, realistic storyline.
At the heart of the film are themes of:
- justice,
- courage and responsibility,
- honor,
- loyalty and personal choice.
These values are not presented abstractly, but are revealed through the concrete actions and moral dilemmas faced by the characters.
The action sequences are choreographed by Nomad Stunts, an internationally renowned stunt team that has worked with major Hollywood studios and Netflix productions. For Kazakh cinema, this represents a rare level of technical expertise and production quality.
Private investment and the development of the film industry
Darmen Sadvakasov, CEO of Dasco Capital, emphasized the importance of private investment for the long-term development of Kazakhstan’s film industry:
“Private investment is a tool for the systemic development of the film industry. Through Tolqyn, we select projects according to international standards and introduce financial modeling, professional producing, and distribution mechanisms. This improves the quality of films produced in Kazakhstan and strengthens their social content. In the long term, it helps form a stable and competitive national film industry.”
What the creators expect from Shymyr
According to Ernar Kurmashev, CEO of Tolqyn Film Fund, Shymyr aims to break away from familiar formulas:
“We expect Shymyr to deliver bold action with a truly authentic protagonist. This is a rare action spectacle for Kazakh cinema, involving some of the strongest stunt performers in the world. In a story conceived by Adilkhan Yerzhanov and directed by Anvar Matjanov, there is energy, character, and uncompromising truth.”
Tolqyn Film Fund’s portfolio
Previously, Tolqyn Film Fund invested in:
- the horror film Dástr: Teris Bata directed by Alisher Utev, released on December 25;
- the action film 7 Qaraqshy directed by Kuanysh Beisek, scheduled for release in 2026;
- the detective comedy Baiqa! Alayaq!, set for release on March 19, 2026.
All projects are distributed by Ascar Cinema (Meloman Entertainment), a leading distributor in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus.
A new stage for Kazakh cinema
Tolqyn Film Fund is Kazakhstan’s first private investment fund dedicated to financing feature-length fiction films and animation. The fund invests in a portfolio of Kazakh and international projects with commercial potential, generating returns through theatrical release and distribution.
Industry experts note that Shymyr represents more than a single film. It is an attempt to raise the standard of Kazakh action cinema, combining national identity with international production practices.
Shymyr may ultimately become a defining example of how local stories, when paired with professional execution and private investment, can compete for audience attention both at home and beyond.
