Sikkim film ‘Shape of Momo’ Wins Big in Russia, Brings Home Two Awards

GANGTOK, : Sikkimese film ‘Shape of Momo’ won two major awards at the ‘Spirit of Fire International Film Festival’ in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, where it competed in the International Debut Competition.

Directed by award-winning Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai, the Nepali language film has been steadily introducing audiences around the world to a story rooted in Sikkim and its culture.

‘Shape of Momo’ received the ‘Silver Taiga Award’ for Best International Debut Film on March 16. It was also honoured with the ‘Soul of Russia – World Cinema Special Prize’ presented by the Roscongress Foundation for preserving traditional and cultural values.

Accepting the awards on stage, director Tribeny Rai dedicated the recognition to Sikkim, noting that the Himalayan State will host its International Film Festival beginning March 19.

Tribeny Rai was accompanied at the film festival by her mother Geeta Rai, also the producer of ‘Shape of Momo’.

“It’s not every day that you win an award with your mother sitting right beside you,” she said. “I am very grateful for this recognition. But more than the awards, meeting one of my favourite directors, Emir Kusturica, who is also the president of the festival, has been the highlight for me.”

A resident of Nandok in East Sikkim, Tribeny Rai had previously attended the VGIK International Summer School in Russia in 2016, one of the world’s oldest film schools where she made a short film during the program.

The invitation to the festival came after programmer Peter Shepotinnik spotted ‘Shape of Momo’ at its European premiere at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.

Founded in 2003, the Spirit of Fire International Film Festival is one of Russia’s leading festivals dedicated to debut films by emerging directors from around the world.

‘Shape of Momo’ film will next travel to the Cinema Asia Film Festival in Amsterdam, where it will have its Dutch premiere in April.

Meanwhile, Tribeny Rai is also making final round of preparations for the all-India release of ‘Shape of Momo’ with a grand Gangtok premiere. The production team is currently in advanced talks with prominent distributors.