‘Shape of Momo’ Shines at Goa’s Film Bazaar: A Milestone for Sikkimese Cinema

KalimNews, Gangtok, November 26, 2024 : Tribeny Rai’s upcoming Nepali feature film, Shape of Momo, currently in its final stages of editing, is already creating ripples in national and international circles even before its completion. The film, alongside Ridham Janve’s Hunter’s Moon, was declared a joint winner at the prestigious Work-in-Progress Lab at Film Bazaar 2024 in Goa, showcasing the incredible storytelling talent emerging from Sikkim.

The accolade, announced during Film Bazaar’s event running parallel to the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) from November 20 to 28, highlights the Shape of Momo as one of six outstanding projects chosen by the National Film Development Corporation of India. The film also secured the Nube Studio Post-Production Award, giving its makers critical support to navigate the challenging post-production phase.

“Festival programmers and producers from around the world attend Film Bazaar, but many still know little about Sikkim and its people,” shared Rai. “I’m thrilled to represent our community on such a platform. I’m confident many foreign delegates now have a clearer idea of where Sikkim is.”

Shape of Momo is Tribeny Rai’s first full-length feature film and represents a significant departure from her acclaimed short films, which have already garnered national recognition. Shot extensively in and around Nandok, near Ranipool, the film explores a poignant tale of familial and societal dynamics.

The story follows Bishnu, a woman who resigns from her job to return to her family, which is haunted by the mysterious deaths of its male members. Bishnu finds the remaining women subdued by despair and societal constraints. She embarks on a transformative journey to empower them and take control of their destinies.

“The film delves into themes of tradition, familial obligations, and the struggle for independence. Will Bishnu overcome societal and familial pressures to carve out her own path, or will she succumb to them?” Rai explained.

The film is currently in its final stages of editing, with Tribeny Rai actively seeking additional funding for post-production. “Making an independent film is extremely challenging. The grant we received from the Work-in-Progress Lab has been a big help, but we still need additional funds to complete the project,” Rai said.

The project’s India-Nepal co-production model involves Dalley Khorsani Productions and Kathkala Films. It previously participated in the Festival des 3 Continents’ Produire au Sud Film Lab (2022) and marked its debut at a project market during Film Bazaar 2024.

Rai has an illustrious academic and professional background. She studied at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata, participated in the VGIK International Summer School in Russia, and attended international programs like the Rotterdam Film Festival’s Producers Lab, the Docskool Clinik in Kathmandu, and the Talent Campus at Iran’s Fajr International Film Festival.

The film’s co-writer and editor, Kislay Kislay, adds another layer of prestige to the project. Kislay co-wrote Soni, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2018 and earned critical acclaim for its nuanced portrayal of gender dynamics in India.

Rai’s participation in Film Bazaar provided her with opportunities to connect with key industry professionals, including potential co-producers, sales agents, and distributors. “Through our participation, we aim to gain exposure and bring our film to a global audience,” she told Variety. 

With its unique narrative and Rai’s relentless determination, Shape of Momo is poised to be a groundbreaking addition to Indian and Nepali cinema, representing Sikkim on the world stage. 

(with inputs from Variety and Agencies)