Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, a renowned filmmaker, was born on March 10, 1969, in the quaint village of Chon-Kapka, nestled within the picturesque Talas oblast of Kyrgyzstan. As an ethnic Kyrgyz, he has a strong connection to his heritage, which is reflected in his work. Married with three children, Sher-Niyaz's family life is filled with love and support.
At the age of 38, he made the bold decision to leave his homeland and pursue his passion for filmmaking at a prestigious film school in Moscow. This move marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life, one that would eventually lead to the creation of his feature film, Kurmanjan Datka Queen of the Mountains. Interestingly, this film was selected as the Kyrgyz submission to the 87th Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film Category.
Apart from his work in the film industry, Sher-Niyaz is also the founder of several organizations, including Aitysh Film Studio, Kalemger Literary Club, and Aitysh Public Fund. He has been instrumental in promoting the arts in Kyrgyzstan, and his dedication has not gone unnoticed. In 2011, he started the International Film Festival "Kyrgyzstan - Land of Short Films," which has since become a premier platform for showcasing local and international talent.
Sher-Niyaz's leadership skills and commitment to the film industry have earned him a prominent position within the Union of Cinematographers of Kyrgyzstan. He was first elected as the Chairman of the Union in 2011 and has since been re-elected to the position in January 2015. Throughout his career, Sher-Niyaz has been a driving force behind the development of the film industry in Kyrgyzstan, and his contributions have had a lasting impact on the country's cultural landscape.
