History of Civilization
A film by
Zhannat Alshanova
Synopsis
Indira decides to restart her life and move to London. However, on her last day, she dares to explore what she will leave behind.
Highlights
Tags
2020
Drama
Fiction
Genre
Drama
,
Country
Kazakhstan
Year
2020
Length
15'00"
Themes
Social and cultural identity
,
With
Akmaral Zykayeva, Aidar Alimbayev, Makhambet Tolegenuly, Miras Zhakupov
Production
Yevgeniya Moreva
Scenario
Zhannat Alshanova
Images
Leandro Ferrao
Artistic Direction
Sasha Shegay
Editing
Gaymzhan Sanbayev
Sound Design
Tiago Cardoso, Dinis Henriquez
Music
Akmaral Zykayeva
Zhannat Alshanova
Zhannat is an award-winning writer and director from Kazakhstan. Her short films played at various international film festivals, such as Cannes (Cinefondation), Sundance, Locarno and Toronto TIFF among many others. In 2019, Zhannat got selected for Bela Tarr’s directing residency where she developed and shot Paola Makes A Wish, produced by the Locarno Film Festival. Her debut feature project, Mother Tongue, won ArteKino Int. Award at the Asian Project Market of Busan IFF. Zhannat holds an M.A. degree in Filmmaking from the London Film School and she is a Sundance Institute and Berlinale Talents alumna.
Filmography
History of Civilization | Short Fiction | 2020
Paola Makes a Wish | Short Fiction | 2019
End of Season | Short Fiction | 2018
The White Orchid Hotel | Short Fiction |2016
Social media
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Festivals
Locarno Int. Film Festival, Switzerland | 2020 Pardi di domani - Concorso internazionale *SILVER LEOPARD for best international film
Toronto International Film Festival, Canada | 2020
Clermont-Ferrand Int. Short Film Festival, France | 2021
Cairo International Film Festival, Egypt | 2020
PÖFF Shorts (Black Nights Film Festival), Estonia | 2020
Locarno Short Weeks, Switzerland | 2022
Interfilm Berlin, Germany | 2021
Guanajuato Int. Film Festival, Mexico | 2021
Hamptons Int. Film Festival, USA | 2021
Les Arcs Film Festival, France | 2020
In the Palace Film Festival, Bulgaria | 2021
Pragueshorts, Czech Republic | 2021
Norwegian Short Film Festival, Norway | 2021
Bosphorus International Film festival, Turkey | 2020
shnit Worldwide Shortfilmfestival, Online | 2021
International Short Film Festival ZUBROFFKA, Poland | 2021
Filmfest Sundsvall, Sweden | 2021
Courts d'un soir, Canada | 2021
Batumi Film Festival, Georgia | 2021
The Calvert Journal Film Festival, UK | 2021
Brooklyn Women Film Festival, USA | 2021
Nepal America International Film Festival, USA | 2021
Cinema Sisters International Film Festival, USA | 2020
One Country One Film, France | 2021
Kurzfilm, mon amour, Germany | 2021
Asian Film Archive screening, Singapore | 2021
Festival of Kazakh Films in France, France | 2021
International Usak Short Film Festival, Turkey | 2021
Press Inquiries
Press Kit
External Links
Social media
News
TWO NEW INTERNATIONAL TITLES AT LOCARNO
Thrilled ta announce that our two latest and highly anticipated international acquisitions will have their World Premiere at Locarno!
🪩 THE BLESSING
dir. Caroline Poggi & Jonathan Vinel
prod. 444 Films, Atelier de Production
2026 | 24’ | france, switzerland
Pardi di domani : Competition Corti d'autore
In attendance : Caroline Poggi, Jonathan Vinel, Fabien Dao, Edouard Lalanne, Marion Dana, Lazare Aïbout Sibille, Tam Dan Vu
🥀 IN THE SILENCE AFTER
dir. Sebastian Delascasas
prod. Sebastian Delascasas, Reuben Hamlyn
2026 | 17' | qatar, usa, columbia
Pardi di domani : Concorso Internazionale
In attendance : Sebastian Delascasas, Reuben Hamlyn, Tam Dan Vu
Distribution Inquiries : info@travellingdistribution.com
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SKINNY BOTTINES wins top prize at Cannes Critics' Week
SKINNY BOTTINES (dir. Romain F. Dubois, prod. Couronne Nord) wins the Sony Discovery Prize for Short Film at Cannes Critics' Week!
“It’s hard to put into words, but imagine making a self-funded film with friends and winning at Cannes. I’m so proud of the crew, so proud of my friends. I return with a heart filled with joy and a suitcase packed with goodies. I’m thrilled that SKINNY BOTTINES found its audience. I feel privileged, loved, sexy.” - Romain F. Dubois, filmmaker
Learn more
SKINNY BOTTINES in competition at Cannes Critic's Week
SKINNY BOTTINES, romain f. dubois' first solo short (prod. couronne nord) in competition at cannes' critic's week (may 13 - 21, 2026). with the team in attendance (romain f. dubois, couronne nord, dominick rustam, aksel leblanc, travelling distribution).
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book a meeting with us from may 16 to 21, inclusive:ji
buyers : laurence blais, admin@travellingdistribution.com
programmers, filmmakers / producers : tam dan vu, coordo@travellingdistribution.com
learn more ↗
JAZZ INFERNAL wins top prize at Sundance
still freshly glowing from its international premiere, will niava’s JAZZ INFERNAL wins the oscar®-qualifying short film jury award : international fiction at SUNDANCE! 🥺🏆💖💌
jury citation: “this film deeply resonates in a way that lingers long after viewing, powerfully blending evocative atmosphere, gorgeous cinematography, music, and global storytelling influences into a profoundly singular vision.”
Learn more ↗
✈️ Travelling is back at Clermont Ferrand!
Travelling Distribution will be at Clermont-Ferrand from Saturday, January 31 (evening) to Friday January 6 (morning).
We're bringing 6 films with us - and a lot of cool merch, so leave room in your suitcase!
Three shorts in competition : BOA, WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND, AIR HORSE ONE + three shorts at the market : TBA. Teams in attendance.
Book a meeting with us from Jan 1 to Jan 5 :
Buyers : Laurence Blais, admin@travellingdistribution.com
Programmers : Tam Dan Vu, coordo@travellingdistribution.com
C'EST MA SOEUR | Berlinale Generation
C’EST MA SOEUR (THAT’S MY SISTER) directed by Zoé Pelchat, written by Léalie Ferland Tanguay, produced by Papillon Films, will have its World Premiere at Berlinale Generation 14plus. Team in attendance.
Distribution Inquiries : info@travellingdistribution.com
Press Inquiries : caroline@pixellex.ca
Learn more ↗
3 films | SXSW
1-2-3 films at SXSW (March 12–18, 2026)! Teams in attendance.
A WOLF IN THE SUBURBS
*World Premiere
dir. Amélie Hardy, prod. Metafilms
2026 | documentary | 19’
AIR HORSE ONE
*North American Premiere
dir. Lasse Linder, prod. Dynamic Frame, Black Boat and White Boat
2025 | documentary | 21’
WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND
*US Premiere
dir. Jean-Sébastien Hamel & Alexandra Myotte
2025 | animation, genre | 11’
Distribution Inquiries : info@travellingdistribution.com
Press Inquiries : caroline@pixellex.ca
Learn more ↗
BEAU TEMPS, MAUVAIS TEMPS | Slamdance
Florence Lafond’s BEAU TEMPS, MAUVAIS TEMPS (NO MATTER THE WEATHER) will be in competition at Slamdance (Feb 19 - 25, 2026) in the Documentary Shorts Competition.
Inquiries : info@travellingdistribution.com
Learn more ↗
Jazz Infernal at Sundance
After TIFF and TIFF Canada's Top Ten, Will Niava’s JAZZ INFERNAL (prod. Telescope, Disamare, Scara-b) will have its international premiere at Sundance Film Festival (Jan. 16 - 26, 2026). Team in attendance.
Distribution Inquiries : info@travellingdistribution.com
Press Inquiries : caroline@pixellex.ca
Info + Screening Times ↗
WE WERE THE SCENERY | 98th Oscars® Shortlist
WE WERE THE SCENERY (dir. Christopher Radcliff, prod. Cathy Linh Che, Jess X Snow) is shortlisted at the 98th Academy Awards® for Best Documentary Short Film!
Distribution Inquiries : info@travellingdistribution.com
Watch now (US, Canada, UK) ↗