Assel is a Kazakhstani director, screenwriter and producer. Assel graduated from film school in Almaty. She has directed, wrote and produced three short films that participated in PÖFF Shorts, Africa International Film Festival, Cannes Short Film Corner and other festivals. Her first feature film WELCOME TO THE USA had its world premiere at AFI Fest 2019 (New Auteurs). This is the first feature film in Kazakhstan with the protagonist from the LGBTQ community. It was awarded Grand Jury Prize as Best International Narrative Feature of NewFest New York’s LGBTQ Film Festival 2020 and it continues to be screened at many international Queer film festivals. Assel participated in the BOAT Meeting 2020, Script POOL Tallinn 2018 and Eurasia spotlight 2017 (special mention of the jury). She is currently working on her second feature film project that has been selected for the Biennale College Cinema 2020-2021 of Venice IFF.