Tolqyn Film Fund OEIC Ltd., through its project company Tolqyn Pictures, has signed an agreement with creative media company Brave Talents to produce the feature film “7 Karakshy.” Principal photography began on September 17, with release slated for 2026.
“7 Karakshy” is an ambitious adventure-action film with elements of drama and comedy, set to become Kazakhstan’s first “Eastern Western.” The project is directed by Kuanish Beisek, produced by Almas Zhali, with Anna Kachko as international producer. The screenplay is written by Aldiyar Zhaparhan and Kazbek Orazbek, with cinematography by Bagdat Arginov. Production is handled by Tartaria Films.
The star-studded cast features Yerkebulan Daiyrov (Qash, Amre, Kazakh Khanate), Vinzenz Kiefer (Jason Bourne, T-34, Speed Racer), Azat Zhumadil (Sheker: The Last Chance, Brothers), Ashim Akhmet (Qaitadan, At Least in the Movies, Akim), Shugyla Yeshenova (Qaitadan, Sheker: The Last Chance), Yerbolat Alkhozha (Beiyish. Heaven at Mothers’ Feet), as well as Kenzhebek Basharov, Indira Sabirova, Sharipbek Zakirov, and others.
Distribution will be handled by Ascar Cinema (Meloman Entertainment) – the leading film distributor in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, and the official regional distributor for Walt Disney Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Tolqyn Film Fund is registered on the AIFC platform, managed by Dasco Capital Ltd., and operates exclusively with professional investors. This marks the Fund’s second investment. Earlier, Tolqyn invested in the horror sequel “Dastur 2” by director Alisher Utev, a follow-up to the highest-grossing Kazakh film in history.
According to Darmen Sadvakasov, CEO of Dasco Capital, “this is a strategically important investment decision. We believe in the creative potential of the team, in Kuanish Beisek’s directorial vision, and we are laying the foundation for a new Kazakh creative wave. The mission of Tolqyn Film Fund is to empower the best talents to realize bold creative ideas and achieve commercial success. With these investments, we are strengthening the competitiveness of Kazakh cinema, creating opportunities for entry into international markets, and enabling our filmmakers to make their mark globally.”
Almas Zhali, CEO of Brave Talents, emphasized that “our joint project ‘7 Karakshy’ continues the productive partnership with Tolqyn Film Fund and represents a major contribution to the industry’s development. Brave Talents is committed to setting new standards for commercial cinema and to delivering stories filled with energy and emotion.”
Ernar Kurmashev, CEO of Tolqyn Film Fund, added: “7 Karakshy has the potential to become one of the most significant and ambitious privately financed films in the modern Kazakh film industry. The film recreates a historic era, requires complex stunt work and high-intensity action sequences – this is a new benchmark for national cinema. We sincerely believe in the project’s ability to succeed at the box office and expand into international sales.”
Tolqyn Film Fund is Kazakhstan’s first venture investment fund dedicated to financing feature films and animation. Its assets are invested in a portfolio of Kazakh and international projects with commercial potential, aiming to generate profits through box office performance and content distribution. The Fund employs an experienced team that ensures rigorous selection, evaluation, and project management.
Film selection follows three key stages: (1) application intake and shortlisting, (2) review of shortlisted projects by the Advisory Board, and (3) final investment decisions by the Fund’s Investment Committee. To date, Tolqyn has received 95 submissions from 11 countries via open pitching and direct negotiations with creative teams, held three Advisory Board sessions, and is currently reviewing new projects.
