The Fund of “Art Females of Asia” was founded in 2013 by Asel Zhuraeva and Aigerim Birnazarova. The Foundation’s mission is to support creative women in Central Asia, to help realize their ideas, works and projects, and to support women directors from Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia.
During its existence, the fund of “Art Females of Asia” has successfully implemented several projects. With the support of the fund, Asel Zhuraeva’s directing courses were organized, in which women participants created short films. The fund of “Art Females of Asia” has provided technical support for nearly 50 films by female directors such as Aiday Chotueva, Meerim Dogdurbekova, Ziregul Kubandyk kyzy, Ayana Mukasheva, and others. These films have won awards at both national and international film festivals.
One of the major projects of the fund of “Art Females of Asia” is The International Film Forum for Female Directors of Kyrgyzstan. Since 2016, this Film Forum has become an essential platform for dialogue and discussion for women filmmakers in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia. Each year, films by women directors are showcased as part of the forum, along with master classes, workshops, and seminars led by professional filmmakers.
Another prominent project of the fund of “Art Females of Asia” is the “Women Make Movies” podcast. In this podcast, female directors, producers, actresses, and other women in the film industry share their thoughts openly about the role of women in film production, their creative journeys, challenges, and interesting experiences.