Tribeny Rai’s debut film wins Cannes spot at Hong Kong film festival

GANGTOK, : Sikkim is going to Cannes via Hong Kong.

Tribeny Rai’s under-production Nepali film ‘Shape of Momo’ won the ‘HAF Goes to Cannes’ award at the prestigious Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) work in progress lab.

Held at Hong Kong from March 17 to 19, the HKIFF had the Sikkimese filmmaker in the mix of established film directors and emerging filmmakers across Asia among the invitees.

Tribeny along with co-producer Kisley presented her under-production debut Nepali film project at the HKIFF Industry Project running alongside the film festival.

“The film ‘Shape of Momo ‘was in a work in progress lab at the HKIFF (Asia's leading film market) where it won the ‘HAF Goes to Cannes’ award. ‘HAF goes to Cannes’ is Programme

Presented by HKIFF Industry and Marché du Film, Festival de Cannes,” said Tribeny in a media statement from Hong Kong.

The ‘Goes to Cannes’ programme offers market screening opportunities for filmmakers to look for sales agents, distributors and film festivals at Cannes Film Festival in 2025.

The Sikkimese filmmaker’s project was among the 15 work-in-progress projects selected for the HKIFF Industry Project Market being held from March 17 to 19. The selected group is a mix of established auteurs and emerging talent from across Asia.

Tribeny hails from Nandok near Ranipool in East Sikkim. Her debut full-length Nepali film is tentatively titled ‘Shape of Momo’ which, still in under-production stage, has been garnering national and international attention, shining a spotlight on Sikkim.

‘Shape of Momo’ had previously won top prize at the work in progress lab at NFDC Film bazaar, Goa last November.

The ‘Shape of Momo’ is Tribeny’s first full length Nepal feature film and it describes the journey of a woman who is determined not to let patriarchy and its influence push her down. The film has been shot extensively in and around Nandok, and presently, post-production works are being done in Mumbai.