The Eagle Huntress

A stirring and up-beat coming-of-age documentary tale about tradition, respect, family and following your dreams, The Eagle Huntress is a sky-high salute to girl power.

This empowering documentary on the barrier-breaking exploits of Aisholpan, a fierce and brave 13-year-old girl learning to train hunting eagles against male-dominated Mongolian tradition, returns by popular demand after crowd-pleasing Square Eyes NZIFF 2016 screenings. Featuring breathtaking cinematography and spectacular footage, this film not only explores the life of a young girl striving to pursue her passion and break down gender barriers in a very traditional culture, but also provides an engaging and enlightening glimpse into the lives of a remote community, as they balance their traditional lifestyle with the shifting post-modern world.

With a goal to become the first female eagle hunter in twelve generations of her nomadic tribe’s history, Aisholpan is a hugely inspiring role model for anyone seeking courage to pursue their dreams. Female and fearless, we follow Aisholpan on her journey through visually stunning scenes of Mongolian life and thrilling sequences in the wild, as she prepares to enter an annual eagle hunting championship. At the heart of the story is Aisholpan’s touching bond with her dad, who supports her gift for hunting and encourages her to excel in it despite the disapproval of other male eagle hunters. Featuring rousing music by Sia and narration by Star Wars’ own feisty heroine, Daisy Ridley, The Eagle Huntress is an infectious and inspiring triumph.