Golden Skies

“A Lovable Story of Eagle Hunting and the Mongolian Glories”

Discover the ancient art of eagle hunting and the unbreakable bond between Kazakhs and bird in “Golden Skies”, the thrilling documentary that follows two cousins on a journey to compete in The Golden Eagle Festival, where only one can be crowned the Best Eagle Hunter of All.

Sizzle Reel

About the Film

“Golden Skies” is a character-driven documentary that follows two cousins, Khirmiz (30) and Seka (21), from a family of eagle hunters in Mongolia. Khirmiz wants to train an eagle to help with the family’s tourism business, while Seka is determined to win the first place at the Golden Eagle Festival and become the best eagle hunter ever. However, things don’t always go as planned, and the cousins must navigate their differences, unexpected setbacks, and even a feisty eagle with a mind of its own. During late summer, which is the peak of tourism, Khirmiz has an idea to learn eagle hunting techniques to boost the tourism business. She asks Seka and other family members to spare an eagle to teach her, but the eagle and the hunter have already bonded since the chick was taken from the nest. So Khirmiz has to learn from scratch. Meanwhile, Seka, Khirmiz’s teacher and cousin, is the only one among Shaimurat’s six children who is willing to inherit the eagle hunter skill. He has been trained since he was 19 years old and aspires to become like his father, Shaimurat, who is acclaimed as one of the greatest eagle hunters ever. Despite competing in the Golden Eagle Festival for many years, Seka has never won first prize. On the contrary, his father doesn’t mind at all and asks Seka to step back and not be too serious about winning because nomad people are optimists. As Seka and Khirmiz spend time training their eagles, they start to develop a unique bond with their feathered companions. This year is the fourth time Seka to compete at the Golden Eagle Festival. Along their journey, the audience will meet other eccentric and competitive eagle hunters from across the nation and witness the amusing, touching, and heartwarming relationships between man and bird. With stunning scenery and a playful remix of Mongolia’s traditional soundtrack scrambled with modern fantasy-inspiring soundtracks, “Golden Skies” is a lighthearted comedy that celebrates family, tradition, and the power of determination.

Rated: PG
Release Date: TBA

Our Team

Dr. Kah-Wai Lin

Producer

Dr. Kah-Wai Lin has a M.D. and a Ph.D. degree and was a research scientist at Princeton University. Currently based in New Jersey, he is a landscape & travel photographer, educator, speaker, writer and documentary film producer. Kah-Wai is a highly skilled and dedicated individual who has been working closely with the Kazakh eagle hunter community for several years. With a deep passion and understanding of their history, tradition and culture, Kah-Wai has developed a strong connection with the community and an excellent working relationship with the several local families. Through his involvement in various projects, such as photo workshops, tourism promotion, and book and film projects, Kah-Wai has demonstrated his commitment to promoting and preserving the Kazakh eagle hunter community’s heritage. His work has been invaluable in showcasing the beauty and cultural significance of this ancient tradition.

Xiaoyu Yang

Producer, Director

Xiaoyu Yang is a New York-based filmmaker who is deeply committed to exploring feminist themes, cultural experiences, and powerful visual storytelling that resonates with audiences on an emotional level. With over a decade of experience in the video post-production process, Xiaoyu honed her skills as a quick and imaginative editor, mastering the art of video editing long before the digital era. After being captivated by the filmmaking techniques and environment in the US, Xiaoyu pursued her dream of becoming a filmmaker and earned her Master of Fine Arts in filmmaking from the City College of New York. Her directorial debut, a feature-length biographical documentary, garnered seven awards, including Best Director and Best Documentary, in the International Independent Documentary Award. Xiaoyu’s talent and dedication have been recognized with numerous awards, including Best Director from the ACA for “Best Asian Director” and a BAFTA New York Scholar recognition. She is a versatile filmmaker, skilled in directing, video editing, and screenwriting in bilingual. With a proven track record of successfully handling projects of all budgets, Xiaoyu’s latest conceptual commercial short film collaboration with Nisi earned her the Best Editing and Sound Design award, showcasing her unparalleled fearlessness and determination. Xiaoyu has a well-developed level of proficiency in directing, video editing, and screenwriting in bilingual and has a successful track record of managing projects of various budget sizes.

Lee Crynma Zhang

Cinematographer, Co-Director

Lee Crynma Zhang is an experienced cinematographer and producer who has worked on various projects, including narrative, documentary, commercial, and new media. With almost a decade of experience in the film and digital video industry, Lee is known for delivering exceptional cinematography that captures the essence of the story. For Lee, the cinematography is a collaborative art form that requires creative minds, technical expertise, problem-solving, and ingenuity. He approaches each project with respect for the director’s vision, providing them with the creative space they need to bring their ideas to life on the screen. As a proficient user of almost all professional cameras on the market, Lee is comfortable working with a full-scale crew or a dynamic duo. He is always ready for the next creative challenge and thrives under pressure. Born into a multi-ethnic melting pot, Lee has been exposed to different cultures, arts, styles, and perspectives from an early age. This upbringing instilled in him a love for diversity and an appreciation for working on films with vastly different cultural backgrounds, techniques, formats, and aesthetic perspectives. Through the years, he has been challenged, awakened, and inspired by these diverse cinematographic styles, learning something new from every piece he has worked on. Lee’s confident and assertive demeanor and his passion for cinematography have earned him a reputation as a go-to cinematographer and producer in New York City. He continues to grow and learn as a creative every day, committed to delivering exceptional work that leaves a lasting impact on his audience.