She was born in 1988 in Kyrgyzstan. She is a prominent Kyrgyz film director, known for her work in exploring themes related to feminism and the socio-cultural life of Kyrgyzstan. She graduated from the Kyrgyz State Institute of Arts in 2010 and furthered her education at the Film School of Rustam Ibragimbekov in Kiev, Ukraine, in 2013. From 2017 to 2019, she also taught at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA).
Zhuraeva has been the director of the Tazar Cinema Company since 2010 and is the head of the Creative Women of Asia Foundation. Her filmography includes notable works such as "God's Gift" (2023), which tells the story of an elderly couple who find a renewed purpose in life when a baby is left on their doorstep. The film has been recognized at various international film festivals, including winning a prize at the Fajr International Film Festival in Iran.
In addition to her filmmaking, Zhuraeva is an active member of the Union of Cinematographers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema (NETPAC). She often serves on juries at Asian and European film festivals, highlighting her significant role in the international film community.
Filmography:
Short documentaries – ‘The Cradle of Happiness’/ author and director, 2010; ‘The Road to Mekka’/ author and director, 2011; ‘Border’/ author and director, 2014; ‘Jetininbiri’(“He didn’t like to talk of war”)/ author and director, 2015; Lamp’/ author and director, 2015.
Awards and achievments:
- 2012 - “Certificate of Merit” of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Kyrgyz Republic.
- 2017 – Breast badge “Kyrgyz Keremeti” (Kyrgyz Wonder). Excellence in film-making.
- 2016 - Letter of thanks from the Parliament of Kyrgyz Republic.
- 2017 - Prize winner of the Ch. Aitmatov Youth Prize.
- 2018 - Certificate of honor of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.
For the film “The Cradle of Happiness”-
- 2010 –International Film Festival“BirDuino”, Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Special Jury Prize;
- 2011 –International Film Festival "Shaken Stars", Almaty (Kazakhstan), prize for the best student film;
- 2011 –International Film Festival“Open Russia”, Yekaterinburg (Russia), prize for best debut;
- 2012 – “My Kyrgyzstan” Film Festival, Bishkek, prize for the best documentary;
- 2012 –International Film Festival “Muslim Cinema”, Tatarstan, prize for the best documentary;
- 2013 – International Film Festival "Azerbaijan Family", Baku, prize for the best foreign film.
for the documentary film “The road to Mecca”
- 2011 – InternationalFilm Festival "BirDuino", Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Grand Prix;
- 2011 – Winnerof 4 prestigious awards of International Film School, Kiev (Ukraine), RustamIbragimbekov;
- 1.“Absolute winner”.
- 2. “The best film by the decision of the workshop of documentary films”
- 3. "The best film by the decision of the workshop of film experts and film critics"
- 4.“The best film by the decision of the producers' workshop”.
- 2012 –"Forum of young filmmakers" / Kyrgyzstan /. The Grand Prix;
- 2012 – International Film Festival “Listapad”, “Prize from Mir TV Channel”, Minsk. Belarus.
- 2014 – InternationalFilm Festival "Pobedilivmeste" (Won Together), Sevastopol (Russia), "Diploma of the II degree."
- 2012 – International Film Festival “Sol Zemli” (Salt of the Earth), "Special Jury Prize", Samara. Russia;
- 2012 – International Film Festival (Sol Zemli) "Salt of the Earth", “Special prize” from the regional magazine “Samara and Province”. Samara, Russia;
- 2013 – InternationalFilm Festival “Cinema for Children”, “Special Jury Prize”. Samara, Russia;
- 2015 – Selected for screening at the Aga Khan Museum. Canada. Toronto. (Sold).
- 2014 – Competition“How I see my Kyrgyzstan” 3rd place.
- 2015 – At the International Film Festival of Savva Morozov won in the nomination “Best Short Documentary”.
For the film Border -
2014– "Forum of Young Filmmakers" / Kyrgyzstan /. "The best documentary."
For the documentary film "Lamp"
- 2015– “Umut” Film Forum, Special Jury Prize, Kyrgyzstan.
