Independence

ULAANBAATAR — Mongolia has selected director B. Tamir’s feature film "Independence: The Keeper of the Decree" to represent the country in the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars.

According to the National Film Council of Mongolia, the National Selection Committee completed its vote on September 28, 2026, choosing "Independence: The Keeper of the Decree" as Mongolia’s entry in the International Feature Film category.

Known internationally as "Independence: The Keeper of the Decree", the film was directed by B. Tamir and written by Todko Samson, the pen name of T. Myagmартogtokh. The leading cast includes B. Tamir, State Honored Artist G. Erdenebileg, People’s Artist S. Sarantuya, State Prize Laureate and Labor Hero N. Suvd, B. Odonchimeg, A. Ganchimeg and E. Todgerel.

The film explores the historical period when the foundations of Mongolia’s independence were laid, focusing on the political choices of the time, the fate of nobles and rulers, the struggle for independence and the sacrifices behind it. G. Erdenebileg portrays Erdene Daichin Khoshoi Chin Wang Khanddorj, while B. Tamir plays Sain Noyon Khan Namnansuren.

The production was made to mark the 115th anniversary of Mongolia’s national freedom movement and received 158 million Mongolian tugriks in non-repayable funding from the Film Art Support Fund last year.

However, this does not mean the film has already been "nominated for an Oscar." It has earned the right to represent Mongolia in the International Feature Film category through the national selection process, while the Academy’s selection process will continue in the next stage. For this reason, reports should say that the film "will represent Mongolia in the Oscars preliminary selection" rather than that it has been "nominated for an Oscar."

Mongolian film now has a new opportunity to bring a production about the country’s national history and independence to international audiences. The selection also highlights the opportunity for Mongolian filmmakers to present stories rooted in national history through one of the major platforms of international cinema.