A South-Facing Window () is a 2025 Mongolian–French short drama film, written and directed by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir. Nineteen minutes film explores a young Ulaanbaatar couple wrestling with love, mistakes, and hope between harsh reality and elusive dreams.
The film had its world premiere in the Concorso Corti d'Autore portion of the Pardi di Domani competition of the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 10 August 2025, where it was nominated for the Pardino d’Oro Swiss Life for the Best Auteur Short Film.
Synopsis Azaa and Shaghai, both approaching their thirties, reside in Ulaanbaatar with their six-year-old daughter. As their relationship teeters on the edge of collapse, they seek traces of joy by wandering through vacant homes. Amid gridlocked streets and suffocating traffic, tensions boil over into a heated dispute.
Cast Azzaya Munkhbat as Azaa Altanshagai Munkhnasan as Shaghai Oyuntsetseg Tsogbadrakh Odgerel Bat-Orshikh Sarangerel Sukhbaatar Batbayar Shagdarjav
Release
A South-Facing Window had its World Premiere at the Concorso Corti d'Autore portion of the Pardi di Domani competition of the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 10 August 2025, and competed for the Pardino d’Oro Swiss Life for the Best Auteur Short Film. It was screened in Short Cuts section (Program 3) of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on 7 September 2025.
The film also competed for 'Prix Loup Argenté' in the International Competition 1 for Short Films at the 2025 Festival du nouveau cinéma from 8 to 19 October 2025. It was screened on 7 November 2025 at the 22nd Seville European Film Festival.
In 2026 it was screened at the South by Southwest London on 2 June.
Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Prix Unifrance du court-métrage 20 May 2025 Special Jury Prize (Grand Prix)A South-Facing Window Locarno Film Festival16 August 2025 Pardino d’Oro Swiss Life for the Best Auteur Short Film Pardo Verde: Special Mentions Festival du nouveau cinéma 19 October 2025 Prix Loup Argenté
References
External links
A South-Facing Window at Locarno Film Festival A South-Facing Window at Short Cuts