The Goldfish (Eng)

Aizhamal Mirbek kyzy / Central Asia – Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic / Kyrgyzstan / The original – kyrgyz, subtitles – english / 12 min 03 sec / 2025

A little girl Sezim mysteriously loses her father, the only relative she has. She doesn’t know that he passed away. To protect Sezim from the tragic truth, her old man – neighbor, gives her a fish, presenting it as her father. Sezim’s childlike curiosity leads her to learn how to properly care for the fish, in which the soul of her father resides. It becomes increasingly difficult for her to accept that the best home for her father is no longer the aquarium by her side, but the oceans, seas, and lakes.

Cast & Crew:
Sezim – Ailin Taalaibekova
Sezims friend – Karimzhan Rahimov
Grandfather-neighbor – Alymbek Koshelev
Dad – Ramis kozhobergenov
Tolgonay – Tolgonay
Neighbors- Abay, Almanbet, Kairat
Director and scriptwriter -Aizhamal Mirbek kyzy
Producers – Nargiza Mamatkulova
Aigerim Zhunusova
Director of photography – Nurbek Azamat uulu
Gaffer – Almambet Joldoshbekov
1st AD – Abay Kubatbek uulu
2nd AD – Sayara Nasyrova
Edit – Aizhamal Mirbek kyzy
Sound, composer – Almanbet Azamat uulu

Director’s Bio

I am a director from Kyrgyzstan. I was born and raised in Naryn. After entering university, I moved to Bishkek, where I graduated from the Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University in 2024 with a degree in Radio, Television, and Film.

I work in media production as videomaker, editor, and content creator. I write scripts and participate in film projects in various capacities.

I am a project manager for a podcast that explores feminist issues, and I have also worked for a long time in citizen media, creating content about decolonization and the culture of my country.

Everyone has secrets they can’t speak out loud. That’s why I decided to make The Goldfish about one of these personal topics: a girl’s relationship with her father. Everyone has their own, but I hope my film will find its audience, leave a mark, and inspire action and reflection in real life. In life, as well as in my work, I strive to speak about women’s experience, identity, and the postcolonial context.