Almaty, January 15, 2026 – Almaty Museum of Arts is pleased to announce the start of screenings of the documentary film "Museum at the Crossroads" – the exciting story of the birth of one of Kazakhstan's most significant cultural projects.

The film tells the story of how the Almaty Museum of Arts was created: from the idea and intuition of its founders (entrepreneur, patron, and collector Nurlan Smagulov and his wife Madina Smagulova) to the realization of a unique space on the cultural map of the world. Viewers will see how a private collection of 20th-century Kazakh art became the foundation of a museum that now attracts thousands of visitors. The film was shot over a period of four years. It was directed by documentary filmmaker, journalist, and producer Andrei Loshak. Four years of work on the film allowed Andrei Loshak to capture the process of creating the museum from the inside, from the first decisions to the opening on September 12, 2025.

This museum is not only the fulfillment of a long-held dream, but also a certain duty to society and the country. Traveling around the world and visiting major museums, I always thought that Almaty deserved such a space, such a place where art becomes accessible, where people meet, and where new conversations about culture are born," shared Nurlan Smagulov, founder of the Almaty Museum of Arts.

The film shows not only the architectural concept and construction of the building at the intersection of Nazarbayev and Al-Farabi avenues, but also the complex, often invisible path of works of art: from the artist's idea and search to logistics, restoration, and curatorial decisions. The film shows the works of world-renowned masters Yayoi Kusama, Bill Viola, Richard Serra, Anselm Kiefer, Jaume Plensa, Yinka Shonibare, and Alicia Kwade in dialogue with Kazakhstani art. > Бота: Museum at the Crossroads is a reflection on why it is important for the museum to be here in Almaty, how space interacts with art, and how encountering art can change our perception of the world.

"We are delighted to share this story with a wide audience. The film offers a glimpse behind the scenes of the museum and shows how a personal passion for art can become a shared cultural treasure, opening Almaty up to global artistic dialogue," said Tatiana Khojaeva, director of the Almaty Museum of Arts.

The film is 1 hour long. Screenings will take place at the museum in the Al-Farabi Hall (2nd floor) throughout January, February, and March 2026 according to the schedule, with Kazakh and English subtitles.

Screening times:

- Weekdays at 5:15 p.m. with Kazakh subtitles, at 6:45 p.m. with English subtitles.

- On weekends at 11:15 a.m., 2:15 p.m., and 5:15 p.m. (with Kazakh subtitles), and at 12:45 p.m., 3:45 p.m., and 6:45 p.m. (with English subtitles).

Admission to the screenings is free for all museum ticket holders.

Museum at the Crossroads is the first of two documentaries dedicated to the Almaty Museum of Arts and its collection. The second film, which will premiere in the spring of 2026, will tell the story of the Kazakh artists of the 1960s, prominent representatives of the generation that shaped the unique style of Kazakh art during the Soviet period.

We invite residents and guests of Almaty to attend the screenings to understand the process of creating a new museum and experience the moment when a dream becomes reality.