Empowering young women filmmakers to share stories of movement and belonging in Kyrgyzstan

For many young women in Kyrgyzstan, moving to Bishkek is part of a broader pattern of internal and cross-border mobility shaping the country. These movements are transforming identities, values and community relations, particularly among young people. Relocating to the capital can open doors to education, employment and new opportunities, while also requiring young women to navigate unfamiliar social environments and build a sense of belonging. 

Film and media is one sector with the power to shape how societies understand mobility and social change. Amplifying women’s voices in this sector can help challenge stereotypes, foster empathy, and strengthen connections across diverse communities. 

Recognizing this gap, Youth for Peace Young Leader Nazgul Dolotkeldieva, supported by the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme, launched a project in the capital to empower emerging women filmmakers to tell stories of movement, identity and belonging. The initiative emphasizes that women, particularly those who have experienced mobility themselves bring a unique perspective to storytelling, often grounded in empathy and understanding. 

Through this flagship UNESCO programme, implemented by the Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS), Nazgul deepened her understanding of intercultural dialogue and gained practical tools in strategic communication and storytelling. With one-on-one mentoring and a grant, she was able to turn her idea into a concrete initiative. 

Nazgul began by bringing together young women for a documentary filmmaking workshop designed to strengthen both their technical and creative skills, while supporting them to use film as a tool for dialogue and intercultural understanding. Participants received intensive training in visual storytelling, directing, camera work, and ethical approaches to documentary production. Beyond technical skills, the sessions encouraged participants to consider the ethical and social responsibilities of filmmaking, reflecting on how to capture personal experiences with sensitivity, respect and care, particularly when exploring identity and belonging

Following the workshop, participants continued to develop their projects with one-on-one mentorship that guided them through the full filmmaking process – from early concept development to editing and final production. This sustained support helped young women build confidence and craft documentaries that were nuanced, authentic and rooted in lived experiences. The initiative culminated in a public screening of the completed short films, accompanied by a moderated discussion. The event created space for audiences to engage with the stories, further fostering reflection and dialogue.

By amplifying young women’s voices in documentary filmmaking, the initiative demonstrates how creative storytelling can strengthen social cohesion. It highlights the role of young women not only as participants in mobility-driven social change, but also as storytellers shaping how communities understand movement and diversity.

The project also gained early institutional recognition. At the final film screening, representatives from the national cinematography department attended, and the head of the department joined the event to award completion certificates and expressed a commitment to supporting young women filmmakers. 

The young women participants transformed their ideas into compelling documentaries, capturing experiences of people on the move and sharing unique perspectives on identity and belonging. Building on these screenings, the films will reach wider audiences through community events and partnerships, inviting viewers to engage with and share the stories of young women shaping dialogue about mobility and social change in Kyrgyzstan. Explore the work below:

You Go, Girl is an autobiographical documentary about memory, time, and moving forward. The personal diaries of 20-year-old Nurkyz become a way to look at the past from the present without remaining stuck in it. Watch the film.

READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/empowering-young-women-filmmakers-share-stories-movement-and-belonging-kyrgyzstan?hub=701