Gulshat Smagulova was also shortlisted in the "Debut Director" nomination.

Oniros Film Awards® is a prestigious international competition recognized by IMDb that holds public screenings in New York every three months. The competition celebrates outstanding work by filmmakers from around the world.

Alexander Cherepanov, who was only 15 years old at the time of filming, studies acting in Vitaliy Davydov's workshop and performs in the Balaganchik Theater. His role as an autistic teenager Kostik in the film was highly appreciated by the audience and the jury.

"Citizens of the Roof" is the directorial debut of Gulshat Smagulova, who graduated from VGIK in 2023, and her experience in film production is more than 15 years. The screenplay was written by Zhanna Timofeeva (debut), Elena Aitova was the production designer, and Alexander Plotnikov was the cinematographer.

The film touches upon important issues of social adaptation of people with special needs and inclusion, while remaining a kind and inspiring work that does not focus on the marginality of the characters, but emphasizes the value of human relationships.

The film stars both young talents and famous actors: Eldar Abish, Alexander Cherepanov, Lidia Yartseva (Russia), Olga Landina, Evgeny Zadorozhnev, Zhanna Kuanysheva, Daulet Kekilbaev and Baglan Nurekenova.

The project was filmed by SMAG Production by order of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the support of the State Center for Support of National Cinema.