Nuunzaya

Nuunzaya tells the story of a Mongolian girl’s struggles and growth against the traditional cultural and marital expectations of Mongolian women. With the support from her grandma and a Birch fairy, Nuunzaya gradually comes to face her own will and emotions and is eventually able to make the decision for herself. As a modern, queer re-interpretation of the traditional folk song Nuunzaya, the film aims to explore the mutual support amongst three generations of women, who, despite their different historical backgrounds and life experiences, still encourage each other in their own ways.

Directed by Lan Wang
Produced by Fanfan Zhou

Director’s Bio: Lan Wang is a Chinese-Australian director studying at the California Institute of the Arts. Her work explores the possibilities of representing women’s collective and individual experiences through the animated medium.

Plays in

The Journeys That Shape Us: Animated Shorts

Journeys take many different shapes and sizes. Some are physical—like treks through harrowing landscapes—and others are emotional—such as working through the rollercoaster of grief. Journeys mold us and our outlook on life. And they are almost impossible to go on entirely alone—there will be friends, family, and strangers along the way in small and large capacities. Travel with these characters through fantastical worlds, various animation styles, and all the joys and sorrows of moving forward toward the next adventure.