Synopsis: In Mongolia’s coldest valley, horses mean life. But in the Iron Winter, nothing can survive alone.
For countless generations, the herders of the Tsakhir Valley have protected their horses from ferocious arctic storms by amassing a giant winter herd, nominating their bravest young men to protect it.
The daring tradition served as a brutal coming-of-age ritual until five years ago, when, under increasing environmental pressure, it abruptly ended. Fearful about the loss of culture, elders soon vowed to revive it. And two young friends were handed the daunting responsibility to not only protect the valley’s herd, but to save its most sacred practice.
For four months, the boys battle Mongolia’s deadliest winter on record, testing friendship and faith in a fight to keep 2000 horses alive and preserve an ancient way of life.

Kasimir Burgess: Originally a practising sculptor, Kasimir transitioned into documentary and drama, focusing on stories that explore the natural world and humanity’s complex relationship with it. His films have screened and won awards at numerous festivals, including Berlin, Raindance, Locarno, and the Melbourne International Film Festival. His debut feature, FELL, a revenge thriller set in the logging industry, garnered critical acclaim from publications such as The Hollywood Reporter and Screen Daily. Kasimir’s AACTA- and WALKLEY-nominated documentary FRANKLIN, which chronicles the fight to save the iconic Franklin River, was the longest-running Australian documentary of 2022.