Tsengel Davaasambuu (PhD), professor at the Faculty of Cultural Studies at the Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture, explores the origins and impact of a rising global phenomenon

The Mongolian-French co-production If Only I Could Hibernate, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year, in Un Certain Regard

Lately, Mongolian cinema has emerged as a remarkable phenomenon on the global stage. Recent releases – such as If Only I Could Hibernate [+see also:
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interview: Zoljargal Purevdash
film profile], premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year, in Un Certain Regard, and City of Wind [+see also:
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film profile], showcased in the Venice Film Festival’s Orizzonti section, also this year – have garnered attention worldwide. Many film enthusiasts and critics have been left pondering the origins of this newfound cinematic brilliance.

Since the fall of the communist regime, state-sponsored film production has dwindled, giving rise to independent studio productions. Mongolia now boasts an annual output of approximately 35-40 feature films in its cinemas. In 2022, the Mongolian film market saw more than 1.3 million viewers and generated total sales exceeding $3.6 million. The average attendance frequency stands at an impressive 1.8 films per person, per year.

In January 2022, Mongolia witnessed a pivotal moment with the introduction of the Law on Film, establishing the Mongolian Film Council under the Ministry of Culture as the governing body. This legal framework has not only regulated cinematic activities, but has also significantly increased governmental involvement in the development of the film industry.

International film productions can receive up to a 45% reimbursement on eligible costs on movies with a spending level of $500,000. The 45% reimbursement is divided into three categories: filming reimbursement (30%), additional culture promotion reimbursement (10%), and foreign talent reimbursement (5%). A post-production reimbursement of 30% is also available when at least 50% of a production’s film crew are Mongolian nationals, although this is limited to $25 million per year for one production company.

Furthermore, the Mongolian government has announced its “Welcome to Mongolia Policy 2023-2025”. As things stand today, almost 300,000 tourists have visited Mongolia in 2023, which is 73% more than last year. In this regard, the government is hoping to host many more collaborations and co-productions in the coming years. If filmmakers enjoy equal opportunities, these young talents will be able to show their works on the international stage.