Kazakhstan’s “Becoming” Joins Baltic Spotlight at Tallinn Black Nights Festival

Kazakh filmmaker Zhannat Alshanova’s debut feature “Becoming” has been officially selected for the Baltic Competition at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) - one of Europe’s top “Class A” film events.

Supported by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information and the State Center for Support of National Film, the project is an international co-production involving France, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Sweden, and with support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The coming-of-age drama follows 17-year-old Mila, an open-water swimmer striving for independence amid family conflict - only to face a life-altering decision at the finish line.

“The leading roles were played by Tamiris Zhangazinova (Mila), Lithuanian actor Valentin Novopolskij, Assel Kalieva, and Medina Sagindykova. Filming took place in Almaty and the Almaty region in August - September 2024. Post-production finished in the summer of 2025, simultaneously in France, the Netherlands, and Sweden,” the statement said.

“Becoming” had its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival in August 2025 - one of Europe’s most prestigious cinematic platforms - and later screened at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea.

The Baltic premiere is set for November 19 at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, solidifying Alshanova’s status as one of Kazakhstan’s rising voices in global cinema.