Kazakh Drama Sweeps Top Honors at 11th Seoul International WebFest

The Kazakh historical drama Kazhymukan has won both the Grand Prix for Best Film and the Best Actor Award at the 11th Seoul International WebFest in South Korea.

Produced with support from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information and the State Center for National Cinematography Support, and directed by Kanagat Mustafiln, Kazhymukan chronicles the life of Kazhymukan Munaitpassov, the first Kazakh-born world champion and legendary wrestler, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The film explores not only his sporting triumphs but also his role in fostering national pride, his personal virtues, and his deep love for Kazakhstan.

The project’s script was first developed in 2012, with filming beginning in 2020. Prior to its Seoul success, Kazhymukan earned several awards at the 29th International Festival IPAAF - Apoxiomeno in Italy. Last year, it premiered nationwide and has been showcased across Kazakhstan as part of the Kazakh Cinema Decade.

The 11th Seoul International WebFest, collaborating with 28 countries, focuses on the development of modern web-based content and organizes online screenings worldwide. This year, 160 films-including 20 Korean productions and 22 international entries-competed across 21 categories, highlighting the festival’s growing global reach.