…Cinema has helped nations build and reinforce their identities in times of social and cultural transformation. 

As post-communist Mongolia comes of age, our cinema has become increasingly commercial. Nonetheless, we believed that Mongolia has independent filmmakers who were free-spirited and not profit-motivated.  

Organizing the first ever underground film competition in the country, we therefore sought to empower a new generation of Mongolian filmmakers to break boundaries, to sow the seeds for a new wave of Mongolian cinema. 

Hence, the motto of our competition was Creativity Above Technique, signaling that we give emphasis to the originality and creativity of film ideas rather than video quality. 

Competition

We received a total of 26 films , of which 10 were sampled to give a glimpse of Mongolia’s budding underground cinema as part of a TV program series we prepared together with our media partner, Education TV channel. 

On June 22, 2013, the day of awards ceremony, all 26 films were screened to the audience of local film enthusiasts and the filmmakers. Afterwards, winners were announced and celebrated.  

Jury

Prominent figures in Mongolian cinema and the larger art industry, including film directors Dorjkhandyn Turmunkh and Munkh-Orgil Tumur, artist Sarantsatsralt Ser-Od, director of the Arts Council of Mongolia Ariunaa Tserenpil, and art historian Bodibaatar Jigjidsuren were invited to serve as jurors. 

5th Place: In Heaven – Tseveendulam Bold

4th Place: Diary of a Madman: Movements – Itgel