Director J.Sengedorj’s feature film “Silent City Driver” has been officially selected to represent Mongolia in the Best International Feature Film Submissions to the 98th Academy Awards, to be held in 2026.

The film follows the story of Myagmar, a man released from prison, after spending 14 years. Upon returning to society, he struggles to rebuild his life while confronting the emotional weight of his past. The film explores themes of redemption, silence, and reintegration in a rapidly changing environment.

The Silent City Driver received international attention in 2024 when it won the Grand Prix for the Best Production Design award at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia. These achievements helped raise its profile among other contenders for Mongolia’s annual Oscar submission.

In a notable development, Australia has also submitted a Mongolian-language film for Oscar consideration. Directed by Gabrielle Brady, “The Wolves Always Come at Night” is a hybrid documentary that blends real events with fictional storytelling. It depicts the story of a herder family in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert who, after losing their livelihood to a sandstorm, face the difficult decision of leaving their ancestral home.

Though an Australian production, the film was made in Mongolia and entirely in the Mongolian language, highlighting cross-cultural collaboration in cinema. It premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and was later screened at major international festivals including London, Zurich, San Francisco, and Sydney.

Since 2003, Mongolia has submitted several films for the Oscars, but none have reached the final nomination stage. Last year’s entry, “If Only I Could Hibernate” did not make it to the shortlist stage. Despite growing international interest in Mongolian cinema, an Oscar nomination remains elusive.

The shortlist for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards is scheduled to be announced on December 16, 2025, with final nominations expected on January 22, 2026. Both submissions—Mongolia’s Silent City Driver and Australia’s The Wolves Always Come at Night—will now enter the highly competitive selection process alongside dozens of other international entries.