We invite teenagers aged 10–14 to join the film laboratory “Observation space.”

This two-week program consists of eight sessions designed for anyone interested in exploring filmmaking. Participants will develop their creativity, gain confidence in working with their ideas, and connect with peers who share a passion for creating, filming, and discussing visual stories.

Teens will connect with fellow aspiring filmmakers, try out a variety of creative and production roles, and take part in making a short film together—an experience they can later showcase in their portfolio, including when applying to future educational programs.

Throughout the program, participants will explore the fundamentals of cinematic language and develop practical filmmaking skills. They will learn how to work with framing, composition, light, color, sound, and editing. They will also take part in acting exercises, shoot video, record audio, discuss creative decisions, and transform raw material into a finished piece. The program will culminate in the production and editing of a collaborative film created by the group. All participants will receive certificates from the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture.

The laboratory will be led by Malika Mukhamedzhan and Liza Popova.

Malika Mukhamedzhan is a director and film curator who graduated from VGIK with a degree in narrative film directing. She has directed five short films, and her debut feature film Longer Than a Day was presented at the Shanghai International Film Festival. She is also the founder of the Qyzqaras Film Festival in Almaty.

Liza Popova is a director, cinematographer, and visual artist who graduated from the VGIK cinematography department. She works across film, photography, and video. Her films and projects have been shown at international festivals and exhibitions including the Venice Film Festival, Visions du Réel, and DOK Leipzig.

Program

June 30, Tuesday — Introduction / 100 Images

We will look at 100 images from cinema, painting, and photography and explore how they are constructed. We will discuss what emotions, sensations, and associations they evoke. Participants learn to observe carefully, analyze visual imagery, and better understand how images work.

July 1, Wednesday — From Schoenberg to Kandinsky / Acting Training

Musical compositions are used as a starting point for drawing exercises, where participants respond visually to what they hear. The same approach is then applied to video, resulting in short visual sketches set to music. In the second part of the session, the group is introduced to the basics of acting training, working with attention, imagination, observation, and presence in the frame through games and improvisation.

July 2, Thursday — Observation Practice / Working with a Script
The session takes place in a park, where the group observes the environment and records or sketches details, situations, and moods that stand out. These observations then become the basis for developing a script for the future film, turning lived impressions into cinematic material.

July 3, Friday — Sound Walk / Video Walk
Inside and around the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture, the group records sounds that catch their attention and is introduced to the basics of sound editing. This is followed by shooting short video sketches and exploring the fundamental principles of video editing. Homework for the weekend
A one-minute video is created using any available editing app, combining sound recorded during the first walk with video from the second.

July 7, Tuesday — Review of Homework / Developing a Collective Film
Completed works are screened and discussed, leading into a collective process of developing the script for the final film. All ideas are gathered and structured in preparation for production.

July 8, Wednesday — Shooting the Film
Working from the shared script, roles are distributed within the group and the collective film is shot. The session simulates a real production environment, allowing participants to experience how a film crew operates on set.

July 9, Thursday — Editing the Film
Footage from the shoot is assembled, with attention to structure, rhythm, and sequence. The film gradually takes shape as editing brings the material together into a coherent whole.

July 10, Friday — Finalizing and Screening the Film
The final edit is completed and prepared for screening. The group watches the finished film together and discusses the result, closing the cycle with a reflection on the process from initial exercises to completed work.
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All sessions run from 11:00 to 16:00. Each day begins and ends at Atelier, an educational space on the second floor of the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture, located at 59 Masanchi Street. While Atelier serves as the main meeting point, the program also includes walks around the city and practical exercises outside the building.

A one-hour lunch break is scheduled in the middle of the day, and meals are included in the course fee. If a participant has any dietary requirements or restrictions, such as allergies or a vegetarian diet, please let us know in advance at learning@tselinny.org. The same email can be used for any additional questions about the course.

The course fee is 159,000 KZT and the program will be conducted in Russian.

Ticket purchase link.