The debut feature by director Zhannat Alshanova, Becoming, produced with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the State Centre for Support of National Cinema, has been included in the Baltic Competition section of the prestigious Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF).

The film was made as an international co-production with France, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and Sweden, and also received support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The story follows 17-year-old Mila, who joins an open-water swimming team in her quest for independence and escape from family turmoil. However, as she nears the finish line, she faces a choice that will change her life forever.

The leading roles are performed by Tamiris Zhangazinova (Mila), Valentin Novopolsky from Lithuania, Assel Kaliyeva, and Medina Sagyndykova.

Filming took place in Almaty and the Almaty region in August–September 2024, while post-production was completed in the summer of 2025 across France, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

The world premiere of Winners Are Seen at the Start took place in August 2025 at the Locarno International Film Festival, one of Europe’s most prestigious film events. The film was subsequently screened at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea.

The Baltic premiere of the film will be held on 19 November at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), which is officially accredited as a Class A festival by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF).

 

Press Service of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan