A STORY WORTH TELLING
A journey through decades of film, artistry, and dedication to preserving the heritage of a nation.
Garay Alibayov was born on March 29, 1955, in the village of Dədəli, Füzuli district, Azerbaijan. He completed his early schooling in his home village and attended the B. Sərdarov secondary school in Füzuli district from 1970 to 1972. He then studied at the M.A. Aliyev Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts from 1973 to 1977, launching a career that has spanned more than five decades in film, theater, and cultural administration. His professional path has included acting at the Sumgayit State Theatre, directing the Veteran Club (1986–1988), serving as deputy manager and later director of the Araz Cinema (1988–1993), and directing the small state enterprise "Sinema" (1988–1993). He went on to serve as president of the "Elşad K" company (1996–2000) and, in 2008, became director of the ULUS FİLM production center. In 2017, he also served as chief editor of the Simurq.info website. Alibayov led the promotion and distribution of the film "Cavad Khan," organizing presentations of the film in Moscow, Tehran, Budapest, Warsaw, Kyiv, and New York. Since 2005, he has been a member of the Nobility Assembly (Əsilzadələr Məclisi) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, holding Certificate No. 565. Since 2007, he has served as chairman of the Cultural Development Center, an NGO dedicated to promoting Azerbaijani art internationally. Since July 2021, he has also chaired the Public Council under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, with a particular focus on youth culture and the arts. His filmography includes Tütək səsi (1975), Sevinc buxtası (1977), Gözlə məni (1980), and Qanlı zəmi (1985), along with numerous later documentary and short films he wrote, directed, or produced between 2016 and 2020, focused largely on themes of homeland, sacrifice, and Azerbaijani heritage. At home, Garay Alibayov shares his legacy with his wife, Kainat İbrahimova, and their two sons, Kanan and Sanan Alibayov, who continue to carry the family's artistic and cultural traditions forward.
Beyond acting and production, Alibayov has played an important role in cultural administration, serving in leadership positions that helped organize and promote the arts within Azerbaijan. His work as chairman of cultural organizations reflects a lifelong commitment to preserving and advancing his nation's artistic heritage, bridging generations of storytellers and audiences alike.
Honoring the Family’s Roots
Actor · Producer · Cultural Administrator
Born in 1955 in Dədəli, Füzuli, Gəray Əlibayov graduated from the Azerbaijan State Institute of Arts (1973–1977) and built a career spanning acting, film production, and cultural leadership across five decades. Alongside his wife, Kainat İbrahimova, he has raised two sons, Kanan and Sanan Alibayov, who carry the family’s legacy forward.
Years
Active
Film & TV
Appearances
Years as
Chairman
Organizations
Led
Career
Film · Drama · Debut
Promotion & Distribution Lead · Historical
Director, Veteran Club
A LIFE ON SCREEN
From stage to screen, Garay Alibayov’s artistic journey extended into film, leaving behind a glimpse of his work as an actor and the era in which he performed.
Public Service · Azerbaijan
Since 2007, Gəray Əlibayov has served as chairman of the Cultural Development Center Public Union of Azerbaijan — an organisation he founded to advance the arts, support filmmakers, and promote Azerbaijani culture internationally. Under his leadership, the Center has facilitated major film distribution campaigns and cultural exchange initiatives across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Institutions foundedCareer
A Quiet Passion
Away from his professional life, Garay finds a different kind of creativity in his garden. He has a particular passion for flowers — growing them, sourcing and importing unusual seeds, and experimenting with different varieties to create new hybrids.
For him, it is a quiet process of curiosity and discovery: planting an idea, nurturing it with patience, and seeing what eventually blooms.
Sourcing rare and unusual flower seeds from different parts of the world to discover something unique.
Growing and nurturing a wide range of flowers in a carefully maintained greenhouse environment.
Experimenting with different seed combinations to create new hybrids and distinctive blooms.