Film Nomad is a young film-development initiative financed by the Mongolian National Film Council and Ministry of Culture, aiming to establish cooperation between Mongolia and the rest of the world. We gleaned more information about it from its founding director, Nomintuya Baasankhuu.

Cineuropa: What inspired the creation of Film Nomad's development programme, and what specific goals or objectives did you have in mind when launching it?
Nomintuya Baasankhuu: Film Nomad is committed to helping Mongolian filmmakers tell authentic and compelling stories that reflect the rich culture and history of their country while also exploring universal themes and issues that resonate with audiences worldwide. It is inspired by my experience at the Open Doors Hub of the Locarno Film Festival in 2021. I felt the need for such a film-development programme exclusively for Mongolian filmmakers, without any linguistic or financial barriers. While a few Mongolian filmmakers have made it internationally, there is so much more to discover, and we need to bring the world to Mongolia, including key players, producers and experts.

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Film Nomad grew out of the need of Mongolian filmmakers to develop strong scripts. Therefore, the initiative is a structured programme designed to assist aspiring Mongolian filmmakers and screenwriters from the early stages of concept and script development through to pre-production.

Can you share some key highlights or success stories from the inaugural event of this development programme? How have the participants benefited from the programme's offerings?
Overall, Film Nomad has supported 100 Mongolian filmmakers aged 25-60, with diverse experiences and backgrounds. The selection process aimed to identify and nurture the most promising talents in screenwriting and project development. The 20 project teams chosen for the on-site workshop and the final ten teams selected for the pitching stage have demonstrated exceptional creativity, potential and market viability for their scripts and projects.

The Film Nomad Film Forum in Mongolia successfully brought together representatives of major film funds, including the Asian Cinema Fund, Screen Australia, Sundance, the UK Global Screen Fund and the CNC, along with producers, to explore untapped resources and discover the potential of the Mongolian film industry. Through various activities and discussions, the forum opened doors to funding opportunities, facilitated the discovery of Mongolian talents and their stories, and fostered valuable connections between Mongolian filmmakers and industry professionals, paving the way for future collaborations, co-productions and partnerships.

The event was attended by approximately 200 participants, including representatives from the Mongolian State Film Production and the Mongolian National Film Council.

Looking ahead, what are your plans for the future of the Film Nomad development programme? Are there any exciting developments or expansions on the horizon for aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals in Mongolia?
Film Nomad is on a trajectory to evolve into an established annual project-development lab for Mongolian filmmakers, enabling them to craft and share their unique and compelling stories with the world. Simultaneously, it will serve as a bridge to the international film industry. Through its unwavering commitment to discovering and nurturing new talents, Film Nomad will continue to provide invaluable support to both emerging and established filmmakers in Mongolia, creating a vibrant ecosystem of creativity and innovation.