We follow the journey of Sara, a struggling artist living in Kazakhstan. One fateful day, while painting on a peaceful mountain top, Sara stumbles upon a mysterious wooden case holding a unique pencil. Little does she know that this seemingly ordinary pencil possesses extraordinary powers. As Sara starts sketching with the pencil, her drawings come to life, blurring the lines between imagination and reality. Filled with excitement, she discovers that this newfound gift holds the potential to solve all her problems and bring her artistic visions to fruition. However, her dreams quickly turn into a nightmarish ordeal when the powers of the pencil unleashes a malevolent demonic creature from Kazakh folklore legends - Zheztyrnaq (trans. 'copper claws').

Director Biography

Thomas Schultz, born in Chicago, Illinois, is a filmmaker with an unwavering passion for the art of cinema. With a diverse skill set, and an education in Film/Video from Columbia College, Thomas has honed his talents to excel in a flourishing film career.

Throughout his journey in the film industry, Thomas has worked on various projects, including popular TV shows like Empire, The Chi, Paper Girls, Fargo, Magnum P.I., among others.

Alongside his wife Madina, a skilled producer, Thomas embarked on a remarkable journey to create a film in the captivating landscapes of Kazakhstan. Their collaborative effort resulted in a compelling project that showcases their passion for storytelling and their dedication to the craft of filmmaking.

Director Statement

Creating 'The Pencil' has been a deeply personal and fulfilling journey for me, both as a filmmaker, and as a partner in life with my wife, Madina, who also wrote and produced this film. Our shared passion for storytelling and art brought us together on this creative adventure, making it a true family project.

We wanted to explore the idea that art, in its various forms, has the potential to solve problems, and express emotions beyond words. The unique pencil in the film represents a symbol of creativity that holds both promise and peril.

Throughout the filmmaking process, my team and I were determined to create a visually captivating experience that transports the audience into Sara's world. We embraced the challenge of seamlessly blending reality with fantasy, as Sara's drawings come to life through the magical pencil.

Moreover, the film delves into the rich unexplored folklore of Kazakh legends, infusing a sense of mystique and darkness into the narrative. Zheztyrnaq, the demonic creature represents the dangers of tampering with forces we do not fully comprehend.

I am incredibly proud of the dedication and passion shown by our cast and crew throughout this filmmaking endeavor, and I hope that audiences will find themselves immersed in the world we've crafted.

Producer Biography

Madina Baimakhanova was born and raised in Almaty, Kazakhstan and grew up with a passion for film and the love for travels. She is proud to show off her Producing chops in her producing debut on “The Pencil”.