Video Production Nur-Sultan

Astana for Corporate Video: Kazakhstan's Capital and Eurasian Steppe Showcase

Astana (the city was renamed from Nur-Sultan back to Astana in September 2022 following political changes) is the capital of Kazakhstan and the country's primary government and corporate administrative center. The city was built largely from scratch starting in the late 1990s when President Nazarbayev moved the capital from Almaty to the Central Steppe. The distinctive futuristic architecture (designed by Norman Foster, Manfredi Nicoletti, and other international architects) is iconic. The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC, launched 2018) operates as a special jurisdiction with English common law and English-language courts, positioning Astana as a regional financial hub. Halyk Bank, Kaspi.kz (the major Kazakh fintech), and the major Kazakh corporates increasingly maintain Astana operations. For corporate productions involving Kazakh government, AIFC financial services, or distinctive steppe architectural backdrops, Astana is the right location.

The AIFC and Financial Anchor

The Astana International Financial Centre operates as a special jurisdiction with its own court system using English common law, designed to attract international financial services to Central Asia. The AIFC tower and the surrounding business district hold the major financial services operations. The center's role as a Eurasian financial hub generates institutional corporate communications work.

Industry Landscape

Government and public administration dominate as the city's primary economic function. Banking and financial services anchored by AIFC, Halyk Bank, Kaspi.kz, and the major Kazakh banks. Oil and gas with major Kazakh energy company corporate offices (KazMunayGas, the state oil company, headquartered in Astana). Mining with major Kazakh mining company operations. Some manufacturing and services. Tourism centered on the distinctive Astana architecture.

Where Corporate Shoots Happen

The Left Bank area (across the Ishim River from the older city center) holds the major government buildings, presidential palace (Ak Orda), AIFC, and modern corporate towers. The iconic Baiterek Tower is the recognizable city symbol. The Khan Shatyr (a tent-shaped shopping and entertainment complex) and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (the pyramid) are iconic for brand B-roll. The Old City on the right bank holds traditional corporate offices.

Crew Base

Astana has a working production crew base built around government communications and the growing AIFC corporate sector. For larger productions, crews are often augmented from Almaty (about 90 minutes by air, the larger Kazakh production hub) or Moscow.

Climate

Continental steppe. Astana is one of the coldest capital cities in the world by average annual temperature (after Ulaanbaatar). Extreme cold winters (regularly below minus 30C in January and February) and hot summers. Best outdoor shooting weather May through September.

Production Logistics in Astana

Reference for projects in the Kazakh capital. The city was renamed back to Astana in September 2022.

Time Zone

Kazakhstan unified time (UTC+5) following the country's 2024 time zone consolidation. No daylight saving.

Language

Kazakh is the state language. Russian has co-official status and remains widely used in business. English is increasingly common in AIFC and international corporate contexts.

Currency

Kazakh Tenge (KZT). The AIFC operates with USD as a transactional standard for some financial services. Most international B2B production work is invoiced in USD.

Electrical Standards, Frame Rate

220V at 50Hz. Type C and F plugs (European/Russian standard). Default 25fps PAL or 23.976fps for commercial work.

Airport

Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) handles direct flights to many European, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Russian business cities. About 20 to 30 minutes from central Astana.

Winter Considerations

From November through March, Astana experiences extreme cold. Equipment requires winter-rated batteries and cold-weather protection. Outdoor shoots require thermal crew clothing. Indoor venue work is unaffected; the major corporate venues are well-heated.

Permits

The Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sports handles filming permits. Lead times of 3 to 6 weeks are typical for sensitive content. For Ak Orda and government facility access, additional protocols apply.