Aktan Arym Kubat (b. 1957, Kuntu, Kyrgyzstan), also known as Aktan Abdykalikov, studied at the Kyrgyz State Institute of Arts from 1976 to 1980, then worked as an artist for a film studio in Bishkek. He has been directing since 1990. He began making a name for himself with his short film The Dog Was Walking By (It zhugirdende, 1990). The film The Swing (Altybakan, 1993) was awarded the Grand Prix in Locarno and the FIPRESCI Prize in Turin. This was followed by the short film The Stop (Ajaldama, 1995). He competed at KVIFF in 1999 in the East of the West section with the film The Adopted Son (Beshkempir), in which he cast his own son Mirlan in the title role. He also collaborated with his son on the film Maimil (2001). In 2010 he turned out the film The Light Thief (Svet-Ake), screened at Cannes last year in the Directors’ Fortnight section.
46. IFF Karlovy Vary
