The festival was organized by the Department of Journalism and Communication Management at Kostanay Regional University named after Akhmet Baitursynuly.
Held online, the festival united participants from three universities: Astana IT University, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, and Kostanay Regional University named after Akhmet Baitursynuly.
Seven films were submitted for evaluation by a professional jury composed of documentary filmmakers and journalists.
The Grand Prix was awarded to Astana IT University student Inkar Zhanakulova for her film “Letter to My Brother.”
The Audience Choice Award went to ENU students Zhuldyz Orazkhan and Assel Sarsenbek for their film “From Life to the Stage.” The same film was also recognized by the jury as Best Television Film.
In the Best Portrait Film nomination, KRU student Gleb Rychko won with his work “How I See My Mother.”
The festival was organized and moderated by Department students Galina Chaika, Aruzhan Kambarova, and Regina Khabibulina under the supervision of Head of Department Ainur Suleimenova.
The festival has a strong educational focus. Its primary value lies in providing practical experience and professional feedback.
As part of the program, producers Symbat Smagulova and Aigul Cherendinova delivered master classes. Participants had the opportunity to discuss their films with jury members and receive professional recommendations.
The master classes are available on the university’s YouTube channel, “Journalists of KRU.”
A traditional hands-on workshop was also conducted by cinematographers from the information agency Qostanai.Media. First- and second-year students were introduced to professional equipment and had the opportunity to try filming themselves.
Since 2023, the festival program has included special screenings.
This year featured a closed screening of “We Live Here” by Zhanana Kurmasheva, a film dedicated to the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.
The festival originated from the academic course “Documentary Film Production.” Since 2017, students have presented their films to audiences, and beginning in 2020, other universities were invited to participate.
According to the organizers, next academic year’s festival will be even larger in scale, combining the 30th anniversary of the Department with the 10th anniversary of the festival.
The 10th KozQaras Festival will take place in April 2027.
Those wishing to participate may already submit applications via WhatsApp: +7 705 763 96 66.
