THE FILMS FOR THE 17TH ULAANBAATAR INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED

Organized annually by the Arts Council of Mongolia, the 17th edition of the Ulaanbaatar International Film Festival (UBIFF) will take place from October 8–15, 2025, in Ulaanbaatar.

The goals of the festival are:

• To expand international collaboration in the development of Mongolia’s film industry
• To present award-winning and officially selected films from prestigious international festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, and Sundance to Mongolian audiences
• To contribute to the professional growth of filmmakers

 

THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL PROGRAM INCLUDES:

• Opening Film Screening
• “Khankhardi” Mongolian Film Competition
• New Horizon: A program that reintroduces Mongolian cinematic classics
• International narrative and documentary films made in 2024–2025 from countries including Iran, France, Germany, Brazil, Norway, China, Iceland, Lithuania, Finland, Italy, Australia, Switzerland, Cuba, Hungary, Japan, and more
• The Youth program

Additionally, the “Industry Day” forum will be held for professionals in the film industry. Films selected for the festival:

MONGOLIAN FILM SECTION

• FALCONRY
  Director: Enkhbayar Bataa
• SILENT CITY DRIVER
  Director: Sengedorj Janchivdorj
• THE THIRD PUNCH
  Director: Erkhemburen Ravjikh
• TATAR
  Director: Batdelger Byambasuren

 

NEW HORIZON SECTION

This year marks the 90th anniversary of Mongolian cinema. As part of this celebration, UBIFF’s NEW HORIZON section celebrates the legacy of Mongolia’s cinematic pioneers by bringing their iconic works back to the big screen, with a particular focus on inspiring a new generation of film lovers and creators.

In 2025, we are honored to spotlight the legendary director Jigjidsuren Gombojav, People’s Artist of Mongolia and State Laureate of the Arts. Two of his classic films, “The First Step” (1970), and “The Taking of a Life” (1976) will be screened—each for one exclusive showing only—offering audiences a rare chance to experience these cinematic masterpieces in a theatrical setting.

𓅃  THE FIRST STEP (1970)

𓅃  THE TAKING OF A LIFE (1976)

INTERNATIONAL FILM SECTION

𓅃  IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by Jafar Panahi

2025, Iran, France, Luxembourg

𓅃 SOUND OF FALLING by Mascha Schilinski

2025, Germany

𓅃 THE SECRET AGENT by Kleber Mendonça Filho

2025, Brazil, France, Germany, Netherlands

𓅃 SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier

2025, Norway, France, Denmark, Germany

𓅃 RESURRECTION by BI Gan

2025, China

𓅃 THE LOVE THAT REMAINS by Hlynur Pálmason

2025, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, France

𓅃 SOLOMAMMA by Janicke Askevold

2025, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Finland

𓅃 VERMIGLIO by Maura Delpero

2024, Italy, France, Belgium

𓅃 RENOIR by Chie Hayakawa

2025, Japan, France, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar

𓅃 NINO by Pauline Loquès

2025, France

YOUTH PROGRAM

𓅃 LESSON LEARNED by Bálint Szimler

2024, Hungary

𓅃 TOXIC by Saulė Bliuvaitė

2024, Lithuania

𓅃 HAPPYEND by Neo Sora

2024, Japan, United States, Singapore, United Kingdom

𓅃 SILENT TRILOGY by Juho Kuosmanen

2024, Finland

DOCUMENTARY FILM SECTION

𓅃 IRON WINTER by Kasimir Burgess

2025, Australia, Mongolia

𓅃 SONG OF BREATH by Simona Canonica

2025, Switzerland, Italy

𓅃 TO THE WEST, IN ZAPATA by David Bim

2025, Cuba, Spain

For more information, please visit the festival’s official pages:

 

https://www.facebook.com/UBIFF/

https://www.ubiff.mn/