With the epidemic slowing and restrictions lifted, film festivals are back in action. The Mongolian and Tibetan Film Festival will kick off on Oct. 29. The festival features international films related to the Mongolian and Tibetan culture. Formosa News reporter Stephany Yang gives us a preview.

The first 2021 Mongolian-Tibetan Film Festival will be held from Oct. 29 to Nov. 11. It is curated by the Mongolian and Tibetan Cultural Center. The festival will open with “Marked Man,” a film about Mongolia''s war history.

Gene Yao
Curator
This is the first time that a Mongolian-Tibetan Film Festival has been held in Taiwan. Such a film festival is unique and has been seen practically nowhere else in the world. I selected 10 films, which will be screened for free in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. The festival will be divided into four sections. The first section is called “Mongolian Spirit.” There are three movies, all of which have yet to be released in Taiwan.

Hsiao Tsung-huang
Ministry of Culture deputy minister
There are many wonderful films. This is the first Mongolian-Tibetan Film Festival. We hope that more ethnic issues will be featured in future film festivals, and for there to be more ethnic film festivals. Through film festivals, we can give the public a greater multicultural understanding.

The festival will feature 10 films, providing 31 free screenings. The film festival will explore themes of Mongolian and Tibetan history, culture, environmental protection, women, religion, and education.

Jao Cin-cin
Actress
At the moment my favorites are “The Steed” and “The Woman.” I think the acting skills of the horses are very impressive. They even had crying scenes and limping scenes. The technical difficulty of the shots was very high. When watching “The Woman,” I think that apart from being able to see the tenacity of the protagonist, you’re also getting a window into daily life in the mountains and valleys of Mongolia.

Oscar Chiu
Actor
The film I have the strongest impression of is “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom.” I haven''t seen such a pure movie in a long time. I ask myself sometimes, what is the essence of happiness? But it has been a long time since I’ve stopped and asked myself, what do I need? Although I might complain what my life is missing. This movie imparts upon you the value of existence and the definition of happiness is. It makes you realize that you’ve got everything you need.

Registration is online, and screenings will be held at Taipei''s SPOT-Huashan, Taichung''s Shin Kong Cinemas and Kaohsiung Film Archive.