The short film Sabyr ranked among top on the international platform Cineshort, receiving high praise from viewers around the world, El.kz reports.

The film tells about a boy named Sabyrzhan who cannot read or write. Neither his mother nor his teachers understand why it is so hard for him. They get angry, they scold him—and the viewer, alongside them, uncovers the real reason: the child has dyslexia. It’s not laziness, but a real condition that requires support, not punishment.

According to the Ministry of Culture and Information, the film addresses an important social issue that many families face, yet is rarely discussed openly. It shows how the system can miss the early signs  and why every child needs an individual approach.

Sabyr was directed by Marina Ziberti and Damir Tanatov. The film has already received recognition both nationally and internationally. At the 8th BAIQONYR International Film Festival, it won the award for “Best Film” in the national competition, while young actor Salikh Beisenbai, who played the lead role, received the award for “Best Male Performance.”

The film also won the “Best Directing” award at the UMUT International Film Forum and was featured at its North American premiere during the Peaks Central Asian Film Festival in Toronto.

Its premiere on Cineshort—an international platform showcasing the best short films in the world—garnered particular attention. There, Sabyr quickly rose to the top of the audience ratings with a score of 9.3. The international audience praised not only the film’s artistic quality but also the importance of its message.