Meet Gulim Sadigozha

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gulim Sadigozha. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gulim below.

Hi Gulim, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

My optimism stems from the belief that challenges are not obstacles, but opportunities for personal growth. I believe that every experience, even the negative ones, teaches us something valuable and brings us closer to our goals. Being surrounded by creative people, continuously growing, and seeking new knowledge fuels my energy and faith in a brighter future. For me, optimism is a conscious choice that helps me see possibilities where others see difficulties.

Thanks to the life experience I have accumulated, I’ve learned to view everything that happens as a valuable lesson. Each challenge I’ve overcome has made me stronger and wiser. I firmly believe that everything that happens ultimately works for the better, and this gives me the strength and confidence to look toward the future with optimism.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Gulim Sadigozha, and I was born and raised in Almaty, Kazakhstan. From a very young age, I was surrounded by the world of literature and art, which became an integral part of my life. My father played a pivotal role in my upbringing—he gifted me many books that nurtured my deep love for the arts. I immersed myself in Kazakh folklore, stories about warriors, poetry, and novels. By the second grade, I was already reading literature intended for older students, and I felt that art would be my calling.

During my school years, I actively participated in cultural activities: I sang, danced, and performed at various events. All of this eventually 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 directing my diploma production with professional actors, which became a significant milestone in my development as a director.

After graduation, I continued to work in theater and film in Kazakhstan. However, during the pandemic, when the industry came to a halt, 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 the business and opened a store in Astana. For a while, I fully dedicated myself to the business world, but deep inside, I knew that film was where I wanted to return.

One morning, I woke up and realized that I wanted to continue working 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. For a year, I prepared for the exams, and eventually, I received an invitation from the New York Film Academy. Despite the high cost of tuition, I applied for the Bolashak state scholarship and won it. Now, I am in my fifth semester at my dream school in Los Angeles. I am learning how to properly make films, and I have already directed several short films. I have completed my intermediate film project and am now preparing for my thesis film. I think it is a great honor and achievement for me.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three key qualities that, in my opinion, have helped me achieve success both in life and in my creative journey are curiosity, determination, and courage.

First is curiosity. I always strive to learn something new and useful every day, whether through books, podcasts, or by absorbing the experiences of others. This not only saves time but also helps avoid mistakes others have made before. The books and stories I read in my childhood not only broadened my horizons but also shaped my creative thinking. I developed intellectually faster than many of my peers, and this became the foundation for my future success.

The second quality is determination. From a young age, I knew how to set goals and work on myself to achieve them. One of my biggest goals in adulthood was to study in America. I spent years working toward this dream—learning English, preparing for exams, and mentally and psychologically preparing myself for the move to a big city. Step by step, these small actions led me to the desired result.

The third is courage. This is a quality not everyone possesses, as fear often stands in the way of living the life we desire. In Kazakhstan, there are many talented and intelligent young people. For example, most students are fluent in Kazakh, Russian, and English. But what sets me apart from many is that I wasn’t afraid to apply to a foreign university, even without substantial financial resources or wealthy parents. I simply believed in myself, confidently expressed my desires, and took action. Courage allowed me to reach success, and I believe it is one of the most crucial qualities for anyone aiming to achieve great things.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Creating a great film is always a collaborative effort, and the director’s task is to bring together like-minded people who share their vision. It’s important not only to know what your film should be but also to gather a team—a cinematographer, production designer, composer, sound engineer, and other professionals—who can enrich your ideas with their own experience and creativity. Each of them contributes something unique, and together, the film becomes something greater than one could imagine alone.

To find a crew that is genuinely interested in your story, everything starts with a good script. Personally, I write the scripts for my films myself because it gives me a deep connection to the project. A good script is like a foundation on which the entire film is built. It sets the tone, defines the story, and guides the entire filming process.

But beyond professional skills, it is crucial to trust your team. A director must be a good psychologist, empathetic, understanding, and must believe in every member of the crew. When you build such relationships, the commitment from the team naturally follows.

If this work philosophy resonates with you and you’re interested in collaborating, I’d be happy to discuss potential creative partnerships. You can reach me through my professional contacts or social media—I’m always open to new ideas and collaborations.

Contact Info:

• Website: gu.sadigozha@student.nyfa.edu
• Instagram: gulim_sadigozha
• Facebook: Gulim Sadigozha
• Linkedin: Gulim Sadigozha

Image Credits

BTS photography intermediate film “The Necrophile” directed by Gulim Sadigozha
The last photo was taken during student practice at Burbank Studios.