Zhanna Issabayeva Biography: Age, Net Worth, Movies, Height, Parents, Husband, Career

Zhanna Issabayeva is a Kazakhstani film director, producer, and actress who champions women’s stories and social issues in post-Soviet Central Asia. She debuted with Karoy (2007), Kazakhstan’s first digital feature, and gained acclaim for The Needle remake Nagima (2013), which won Best Film at the Eurasian Film Festival.

Issabayeva founded Zhana Kino production company and directed The Road to Mother (2016) segments. Her raw, intimate style tackles domestic violence, migration, and female resilience, making her a trailblazer for independent Kazakh cinema.

Profile

• Full Name: Zhanna Issabayeva
• Stage Name: Zhanna Issabayeva
• Born: January 1, 1968
• Age: 58 years old
• Birthplace: Kazakhstan
• Nationality: Kazakhstani
• Occupation: Film Director, Producer, Actress
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Issabayeva
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Unknown
• Net Worth: $900,000

Early Life and Education

Zhanna Issabayeva was born on January 1, 1968, in Kazakhstan, to parents referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Issabayeva. There is no publicly available information about her siblings.

Issabayeva studied acting at the T. Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts in Almaty, graduating in the late 1990s. She later trained in directing through workshops in Moscow and Berlin.

She is of Kazakh ethnicity, though she keeps her religious beliefs private.

Career

Zhanna Issabayeva began her career acting in Kazakh television dramas and theater productions in the early 2000s. She directed her debut feature Karoy in 2007, shot entirely on digital video in Almaty’s suburbs with a micro-budget.

The film premiered at the Almaty International Film Festival and won the Special Jury Prize. Issabayeva founded Zhana Kino to produce women-led projects and co-directed The Needle remake segments.

She released Nagima in 2013, a stark portrait of a young orphan, which took Best Film at the Eurasian Creative Guild Festival. These early works established her focus on marginalized voices and handheld realism.

Issabayeva produced and directed The Road to Mother anthology segments in 2016, collaborating with Akan Satayev. She released The Last Teacher in 2018, a drama about education in remote villages that screened at Busan.

Issabayeva taught directing at Almaty workshops and mentored through the Soros Foundation’s film program. She secured European grants for post-production and distribution.

Issabayeva balanced commercial TV work with independent features. Her films consistently addressed gender inequality, poverty, and human dignity through non-professional casts.

Zhanna Issabayeva continues to direct features and documentaries for Zhana Kino. She developed The Forgotten in the 2020s, exploring migration trauma.

Issabayeva’s works screen in women’s film festivals across Asia and Europe. She supports gender parity initiatives through national cinema councils.

Issabayeva’s legacy lies in amplifying silenced narratives and pioneering digital filmmaking in Kazakhstan.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: Unknown
• Facebook Handle: Zhanna Issabayeva
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Zhanna Issabayeva keeps her personal life private and has not disclosed details about a spouse or children. She resides in Almaty, where she runs Zhana Kino from a small office.

Issabayeva enjoys yoga, contemporary dance, and reading feminist literature for inspiration.

Filmography

• Karoy (2007)
• Nagima (2013)
• The Last Teacher (2018)

Net Worth

Zhanna Issabayeva holds an estimated net worth of $900,000. Her income derives primarily from production company profits, festival prizes, and state cultural grants.

Acting residuals and teaching honoraria provide steady revenue. European co-production deals and TV directing fees added to her financial success.