Tokayev offers condolences to family and loved ones of film director Ardak Amirkulov

Tengrinews.kz — President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has expressed condolences over the death of renowned film director Ardak Amirkulov, an Honoured Worker of Kazakhstan, State Prize laureate and recipient of the Order of Kurmet, according to Akorda.

“Ardak Amirkulov, who devoted his entire life to the art of cinema, made a significant contribution to promoting national culture. As a professional filmmaker, he adapted such notable works as The Fall of Otrar, Abai and Farewell, Gulsary!, which became part of the golden heritage of our nation’s spiritual culture.
The acclaimed director enriched Kazakh cinema and trained a generation of talented students. The cherished memory of Ardak Amirkulov, who left behind a rich spiritual legacy, will forever remain in our hearts,” the telegram of condolences to the filmmaker’s family and loved ones said.

Ardak Amirkulov was born on December 10, 1955, in the Zhambyl region. He was an Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, a laureate of the State Prize, and a recipient of the Order of Kurmet.
He graduated from a pedagogical institute in 1977 and the directing department of VGIK (Sergey Solovyov’s master class) in 1988. From 1992 to 2002, he headed the Kazakhfilm studio, and also taught as a professor at the Almaty State Theater and Art Institute.
Amirkulov died on August 5, 2026, at the age of 70.