Ruslan Akun

Akun grew up in the small town of Naryn bordering China. As a student and TV producer, he covered two revolutions, ethnic clash, and witnessed turbulent changes happening in his newly independent country of Kyrgyzstan.^[1]

After graduating from American University - Central Asia, Akun's advocacy for positive social changes in his country made him direct and produce educational films.^{[citation needed]} He was commissioned by Swiss Red Cross to write and direct health-related educational films for school children and young people in Kyrgyz countryside. Follow-up effectiveness evaluations showed that, for instance, a fictionalized educational film on dental health were successful with number of children brushing their teeth twice a day growing from 37% to 71%.^[2] In addition, Akun created and produced several prime-time political TV shows on Kyrgyz National Public TV.^{[citation needed]}

In 2011, Akun and his friends wrote a script and filmed non-actors. The movie came out about 110 minutes long and was about Bishkek. Friends also negotiated the theatre release of his film Bishkek, I love you!].^[3]

His second independent film Salam, New York became the biggest box office hit in a history of Kyrgyz Republic.^{[citation needed]} The film won Best Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Music, Best Editing awards at the Kyrgyz National Cinema Awards. During the theatre release, pirates leaked the film^[4] but were stopped by Akun's company and Intellectual Property Agency Kyrgyz Patent.^[5] It was the first time piracy was persecuted in Kyrgyzstan's history.^{[citation needed]}

Akun's short film Herding was selected to more than 50 film festivals international competition section worldwide including Clermont-Ferrand,^[6] San Paolo,^[7] and Brussels.^[8]

Since 2014, Akun pursuing his master's degree at School of Cinematic Arts, University of Southern California; he holds a bachelor's degree from Mass Communications, American University - Central Asia.^{[citation needed]}