International Film Festivals of Mongolia
There are two main international film festivals in Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar International Film Festival (UBIFF) and Golden Ger International Film Festival (GGIFF). Both UBIFF and GGIFF have been held in the capital city of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar since 2013.
UBIFF is one of the largest film festivals in Mongolia. Its main aim is to give access to the local film filmmakers to a world-renowned cinema. UBIFF exposes Mongolian audiences and filmmakers to the global film world. For instance, this year 132 films that were part of festivals in Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto have participated in UBIFF. Its categories follow as Opening Film Competition; the Mongolian Film Competition, Focus Country- Showcase, International Film Showcase, Film Forum, and Lab-Training.
This year (2021) October 18–24th, 13th UBIFF has been organized at the capital city of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. The ‘highlight country’ of this year was Russia. In total 15 films from 11 different countries have been screened. One of the notable aspects of UBIFF is that old remarkable films of 20th century Mongolia are screened every year. For instance, this year’s special screening is “Ardin Elch” (“People’s courier”) a 1959’s Mongolian film that got a silver medal of Best Actress from 1st Moscow International Film Festival.
GGIF is the first Underground Film Competition in Mongolia and it is the only film festival that hosts a competition for short films in Mongolia. Since 2013, over 320 works have competed and GGIF gave monetary prizes to 80 filmmakers. Criteria for this film festival are films that are 3–30 minutes long. Its objective is ‘Fostering local interest in experimental films and encouraging young artists from ages 18 to 30 to challenge conventional methods of filmmaking’ (MFI). This underground film competition evolved into GGIF. The main section of the festival is the section of short films made by local and international filmmakers. GGIF also screens feature films, holds master classes, and organizes networking events during the film festival.
For this year (2021), in total 16 international short films have competed for four categories this year and four international short films from Canada, Iran, the USA, and Belarus have been awarded for the main categories: Best International Animated Short Film, Documentary Short Film, Experimental Short Film, and Narrative Short Film.
UBIFF and GGIF are some of the most significant international film festivals of Mongolia. These two international film festivals contribute a lot to fostering emerging local filmmakers and being the bridge that connects Mongolian audiences to the international film world.
Works Cited
Mongolian Film Institute, https://mfi.mn/. Accessed 17 November 2021.
“Golden Ger International Film Festival.” FilmFreeway, https://filmfreeway.com/GGIFF. Accessed 17 November 2021.
“UBIFF.” Ulaanbaatar International Film Festival, http://www.ubiff.mn/about/. Accessed 17 November 2021.
“Энэ жилийн UBIFF-ийн тухай таны мэдэх ёстой БҮХ ЗҮЙЛ.” UB Life, https://ub.life/p/ene-jiliin-ubiff-iin-tukhai-tanii-medekh-yostoi-bukh-zuil?preview=true&fbclid=IwAR1rvxeWOoglj8Mmd02TaamCKNKwe4GfZEjXGmooEyZZWvQuGG0tmgpF82U#.YWkXEd4kgak.facebook.
