Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai’s debut feature Shape of Momo won two major prizes at the Spirit of Fire International Film Festival in Khanty‑Mansiysk, Russia, receiving the Silver Taiga Award for Best International Debut Film and the Soul of Russia – World Cinema Special Prize from the Roscongress Foundation on March 16, 2026. The awards recognise the film’s debut impact and its portrayal of traditional and cultural values.
Shot in Nepali and rooted in Sikkimese life and culture, Shape of Momo has been building an international festival run and introducing global audiences to stories from the Himalayan state. Director Tribeny Rai, who has previously won acclaim for her work, dedicated the honours to Sikkim and highlighted the timing: the state is set to host its International Film Festival beginning March 19, 2026.
Accepting the awards on stage, Rai said the recognition belonged to Sikkim and noted a personal highlight of the trip was meeting festival president and filmmaker Emir Kusturica. She was accompanied at the festival by her mother, Geeta Rai, who is also the film’s producer.
Rai reflected on the moment with Geeta at her side: “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, Rai attended the VGIK International Summer School in Russia in 2016, where she made a short film during the program. The invitation to Spirit of Fire followed programmer Peter Shepotinnik’s discovery of Shape of Momo at its European premiere at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.
Founded in 2003, the Spirit of Fire festival is known for showcasing debut films by emerging directors worldwide. Shape of Momo will next travel to the Cinema Asia Film Festival in Amsterdam for its Dutch premiere in April 2026.
Meanwhile, Rai and her team are finalising preparations for an all‑India release that will include a grand Gangtok premiere; the production is in advanced talks with prominent distributors.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/sikkim-film-shape-of-momo-wins-big-in-russia-brings-home-two-awards
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date:
