Adilkhan Yerzhanov Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Films, Career, Awards, Height

Adilkhan Yerzhanov, is a Kazakhstani film director celebrated for his distinctive blend of dark comedy, social critique, and surreal storytelling.

He gained international acclaim with films like The Owners (2014) and The Plague at Karan (2015), earning the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Director in 2019 for A Dark, Dark Man.

Yerzhanov‘s works frequently premiere at Cannes, Venice, and Busan, tackling corruption, poverty, and human resilience in post-Soviet Kazakhstan.

His collaborations with wife and producer Inna Smailova have produced over a dozen features that challenge cinematic norms and elevate Central Asian voices on the global stage.

Profile

• Full Name: Adilkhan Yerzhanov
• Stage Name: Adilkhan Yerzhanov
• Born: August 7, 1982
• Age: 43 years old
• Birthplace: Zhezqazghan, Kazakhstan
• Nationality: Kazakhstani
• Occupation: Film Director, Screenwriter
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Yerzhanov
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Inna Smailova (m. 2010)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1.5 million

Early Life and Education

Adilkhan Yerzhanov was born on August 7, 1982, in Zhezqazghan, Kazakhstan, to parents referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Yerzhanov. He might have had siblings but details about them are unknown.

Yerzhanov studied economics at university before enrolling in the Kazakh National Academy of Arts in Almaty, graduating in 2009 with a degree in film directing. He trained under veteran instructors and wrote his first short scripts during studies.

Yerzhanov identifies with Kazakh ethnicity and draws from Soviet-era cinema influences without public known religion.

Career

Adilkhan Yerzhanov began his career directing short films and theater productions in Almaty while completing his degree. He debuted with Realtor in 2009, a 30-minute black comedy that screened at regional festivals and won local awards.

Yerzhanov co-founded the Short Brothers production company with classmates and wrote his first feature, Constructors, in 2013. He shot The Owners in 2014 on a micro-budget in Zhezqazghan, using non-professional actors and natural light.

The film premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and earned nominations at Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Yerzhanov developed his signature style of long takes, deadpan humor, and stark landscapes. These early works established him as a bold voice in Kazakh cinema.

Yerzhanov directed The Plague at Karan in 2015, which screened in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard and solidified his international reputation. He followed with The Gentle Indifference of the World (2018), premiering at Cannes and earning praise for its poetic critique of rural life.

In 2019, A Dark, Dark Man won the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Director and screened at San Sebastián. Yerzhanov released Yellow Cat in 2020 at Venice Orizzonti, blending crime and romance.

He maintained annual output despite funding challenges, often shooting in remote Kazakh locations. Producer Inna Smailova secured European co-productions for broader distribution. His films consistently explored corruption, justice, and human absurdity with visual precision.

Adilkhan Yerzhanov continues to direct features that premiere at A-list festivals worldwide. He released Assault in 2022 and Goliath in 2023, both tackling societal decay through genre lenses.

Yerzhanov mentors young filmmakers through masterclasses in Almaty and Astana. His body of work influences emerging Central Asian directors and garners retrospective screenings globally. Yerzhanov‘s uncompromising vision shapes contemporary Kazakh cinema with lasting impact.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: Unknown
• Facebook Handle: Adilkhan Yerzhanov
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Adilkhan Yerzhanov married producer Inna Smailova in 2010; the couple collaborates on nearly every project without public details on children. He bases in Almaty with Inna, where they run Short Brothers and scout locations across Kazakhstan.

Yerzhanov enjoys literature by Dostoevsky and Kafka, often citing them as creative influences.

Filmography

• Realtor (2009)
• Constructors (2013)
• The Owners (2014)
• The Plague at Karan (2015)
• The Gentle Indifference of the World (2018)
• A Dark, Dark Man (2019)
• Yellow Cat (2020)
• Assault (2022)
• Goliath (2023)

Net Worth

Adilkhan Yerzhanov has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million. His income derives primarily from festival prize winnings, European co-production deals, and state grants from Kazakhstan.

Screenplay sales and teaching honoraria provide steady revenue. International distribution rights for his films also contributed to his finances.