Filmmaker and screenwriter Aibek Dairbekov appointed deputy culture minister

Filmmaker, screenwriter and producer Aibek Dairbekov has moved into government, taking up the post of deputy minister of culture, information and youth policy in Kyrgyzstan.

The appointment was announced by the ministry. Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev signed the order naming Dairbekov to the position.

Dairbekov, born in Frunze on May 16, 1979, studied television journalism at the Kyrgyz National University from 1997 to 2002. He later pursued film training in directing and screenwriting, including courses at the White Pillars film center in Moscow and programs organized by Manas International University and the Kyrgyzstan Cinematography Development Foundation.

He helped establish the Kareк children’s film fund and the national children’s and youth film festival. He also took part in launching Kyrgyzstan’s national film award, Ak Ilbirs. In a leadership role at the Union of Cinematographers of Kyrgyzstan, he focused on children’s and youth cinema and support for young creative talent.

One of his notable films is “The Song of the Tree,” a 2018 Kyrgyz-Russian co-production. The film screened at international festivals and won several major awards, including the Grand Prix at the Dhaka International Film Festival and the Grand Prix at Russia’s Cinema for Children festival. His films have also been shown and recognized at festivals in Germany, Russia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Spain, Armenia and other countries.