Meet Gulim Sadigozha | NYFA student, film director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gulim Sadigozha and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gulim, why did you pursue a creative career?
From a young age, I was surrounded by books, especially Kazakh folklore literature. My father played a huge role in my development—he gave me books and nurtured my love for the arts. I would immerse myself in Kazakh legends about warriors, poems, and novels. By the second grade, I had already mastered literature meant for older students. This is how I developed my creative thinking and a drive for self-expression. For me, art is a way to constantly grow and learn something new, as well as an opportunity to share my thoughts and ideas with the world. It is the creative path that gives me the freedom to create, seek new meanings, and find like-minded individuals who share my values and approach to life.

Additionally, thanks to the life experience I’ve gained, I have come to understand that every challenge is an opportunity for growth. A creative career requires courage, determination, and constant development, and these qualities help me move forward, bringing my ideas to life. For me, creativity is not just a job; it’s a way of life, a means of continually discovering new facets of myself and the world around me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
During my school years, I actively participated in cultural activities: singing, dancing, and performing at various events. All of this ultimately led me to choose a creative profession. In 2016, I graduated from the Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after T. Zhurgenov with a degree in Dramatic Theater Directing. By my fifth year, I was already directing my diploma production with professional actors, which became a significant milestone in my development as a director.

After graduation, I continued working in the theater and film industry in Kazakhstan. However, during the pandemic, when the industry halted its activities, I decided to broaden my horizons. I studied fashion design and garment construction, which allowed me to open my own atelier and launch a collection of evening dresses. Over time, I expanded my business and opened a store in Astana. For a while, I fully immersed myself in the business world, but deep down, I knew that cinema was where I truly wanted to return.

One morning, I woke up and realized that I wanted to continue my work in film as a director. I felt that I needed to deepen my knowledge of the film industry, so I decided to apply to a film school in Hollywood. After a year of preparation for exams, I received an invitation from the New York Film Academy. Despite the high cost of education, I applied for the state grant “Bolashak” and won it. Now, I am in my fifth semester at my dream school in Los Angeles, and it is a great honor and achievement for me.

Currently, I am learning how to properly make films, and I have already directed several short films.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to Los Angeles, the first thing I would show her would be the Hollywood Hills and the iconic Hollywood sign. Since this place is the heart of the film industry, I would take her on tours of Universal Studios and Warner Brothers, as well as to the very first and magical Disneyland. For me, Los Angeles is a paradise where majestic mountains rise on one side, and the vast ocean stretches on the other. We would definitely visit Santa Monica and its beautiful beaches. I could go on endlessly, but I would end the day with a dinner at the wonderful Smoke House restaurant, which grew and thrived alongside Warner Brothers. In the past, legendary Hollywood actors dined there, and now it’s a premium restaurant offering excellent cuisine.

I would also take her to the Griffith Observatory to immerse in the atmosphere of the galaxy and even see the moon through the telescope. This place not only offers stunning views of the city but also allows you to touch the infinite expanse of the universe. The observatory is one of those places where you truly feel how vast and mysterious our world is.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am deeply grateful to my parents for their unwavering support. From a young age, my father invested so much time and effort into me—he bought me countless books and supported me in all my school and student competitions, for which I am endlessly thankful. Working in the fields of theater and film can sometimes be emotionally draining, and during moments of creative burnout, my mother is always there to help. Her warm words and unconditional love fill me with energy, helping me regain my strength.

I am also very grateful to my country. In Kazakhstan, we have an excellent education system, with all the necessary resources for learning, and for exceptionally gifted students, there is the opportunity for free education abroad. I was fortunate to win this scholarship , which became my golden ticket to studying at one of the most prestigious universities in America.

Instagram: gulim_sadigozha

Linkedin: gu.sadigozha@student.nyfa.edu

Facebook: Gulim Sadigozha

Yelp: gu.sadigozha@student.nyfa.edu

Youtube: gu.sadigozha@student.nyfa.edu

Image Credits
These are all my personal photos where I took during my studies, during the making of my Intermediate movie “The necrophile” Personal photo where I visited Disneyland etc.