Originally from Kazakhstan, Zhannat is a London-based writer/director/producer.

 

Her work has been screened at numerous international film festivals (Cannes, Sundance, TIFF, Locarno (Pardino d’Argento award for the Best Short Film), Clermont – Ferrand, Les Arcs, etc); has shown at prestigious institutions such as Barbican Centre (UK), Tate Modern (UK), Art Basel (Switzerland) and The Asian Film Archive (Singapore). 

 

She is currently developing several feature film projects. A Winner is Seen at the Start is produced by Films de Force Majeure (France), Volya Films (Netherlands) and Accidental Films (Kazakhstan). The project is supported by CNC, Hubert Bals Fund, Region Sud Fund and Media Creative Europe. It was also selected for TIFF Filmmakers Lab, BoostNL and ACE Producers Lab. Mother Tongue (France/Kazakhstan) is supported by ARTE Development Award. Present Perfect is in development with Film 4 (UK), which will be Zhannat’s first English-language film.

 

Zhannat holds an MA degree in Filmmaking from the London Film School. She is a Berlinale Talents and Locarno Directing Workshop (mentored by Bela Tarr) alumni. She is a Directors UK, BAFTA Connect and European Women’s Audiovisual Network member.

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In 2021 Zhannat founded her own independent production company Accidental Films.