LOS ANGELES – The International Press Academy (IPA) established its Breakthrough Performance Award to honor an individual, who early in his or her career, demonstrates an exceptional artistic achievement and impressive talent.
Artur Amanaliev was born on Dec 21, 2010 in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan.
Arthur’s mother remembers him as a mischievous and precocious child, even in preschool. He had no trouble keeping up with the more advanced pupils and was at the top of his class. A keen comic book fan, Artur would often play-act as Spiderman at school.
His first role was in the short movie Tagdyr (Fate) by Azamat Arykov where he played a background actor.
Artur’s first leading role was in Shambala, where he plays the main character. The film was chosen by Kyrgyzstan as their official Oscar entry.
The film won an Audience Award at the Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles.
A natural actor, Artur was discovered by Artykpai Suyundukov, the film’s director, at an open casting call where he stood out because of an ‘inner sadness’ in his eyes which was deemed critical for the character.
Previous Breakthrough Performance Award recipients include Haley Joel Osment, Robert Brown, Dakota Fanning, Rupert Grint, Derek Luke, Freddie Highmore, Brandon Walters, Rupert Friend, Gabourey Sidibe, and Quvenzhane Wallis.
