‘Shape of Momo’: From the Hills of Sikkim to the World Stage

KalimNews, May 30, 2026, Gangtok : The remarkable journey of Shape of Momo, the debut feature film by Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai, reached a significant milestone with its theatrical release across India and Nepal on 29 May 2026. What began as a deeply personal story rooted in the filmmaker’s own experiences has now become one of the most celebrated independent films from Northeast India, earning global recognition through prestigious film festivals and international awards.

Produced by Geeta Rai and Kislay under the banner of Dalley Khorsani Production in association with Kathkala Films and Aizoa Pictures, the 114-minute Nepali-language film has travelled across nearly 30 international film festivals and won more than 15 awards worldwide before reaching Indian audiences. The film is currently being screened in more than 15 locations, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Dehradun, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri and several centres across Sikkim.

A Story Born in 2019

The origins of Shape of Momo go back to 2019 when Tribeny Rai first pitched the project at a talent camp during the Fajr International Film Festival. The screenplay was later developed through Clinik Kathmandu Script Lab and Filmlab South Asia at the Dharamshala International Film Festival. Inspired by her own return to her hometown in East Sikkim after film school, Rai wanted to explore the emotional conflicts faced by young people who leave their homes in search of freedom and opportunity, only to feel disconnected from both worlds.

The film went into production in January 2024 and was shot primarily in Nandok and Assam Lingzey in East Sikkim. The mountain landscapes, village homes and local culture became an integral part of the narrative, giving the film a distinct visual and emotional identity.

The Story

Set in a Himalayan village in Sikkim, Shape of Momo follows Bishnu, a young woman who quits her job in Delhi and returns to her ancestral home in the mountains. Back home, she finds herself surrounded by three generations of women navigating different struggles and expectations.

Her grandmother dreams of joining her son abroad, her mother silently accepts the burdens imposed upon her, and her pregnant sister struggles within the realities of marriage. As Bishnu attempts to build an independent life and dreams of opening a homestay, she confronts patriarchal traditions, family expectations and the complicated meaning of home. The film uses the shape of a momo as a recurring metaphor for the expectations society places upon women and the pressures to conform.

The cast features powerful performances by Gaumaya Gurung, Pashupati Rai, Shyama Shree Sherpa, Rahul Mukhia and the late Bhanu Maya Rai. The screenplay was written by Tribeny Rai and Kislay.

International Festival Journey

Even before its theatrical release, Shape of Momo became one of the most travelled Indian independent films of the year.

The project first gained international attention at the Hong Kong International Film Festival's HAF platform, where it won the prestigious HAF Goes to Cannes Award, earning a showcase at the Cannes Film Market in 2025.

The film subsequently premiered and screened at several major international festivals, including:

• Busan International Film Festival, South Korea
• San Sebastián International Film Festival, Spain
• Hong Kong International Film Festival
• Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, USA
• Indie Meme Film Festival, Austin, Texas
• Göteborg International Film Festival, Sweden
• Jaffna International Cinema Festival, Sri Lanka
• Kolkata International Film Festival
• International Film Festival of India, Goa
• Singapore International Film Festival
• Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai

The film's world premiere took place at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival, one of Asia's most important cinema platforms for emerging filmmakers.

Major Awards and Honours

The film's international acclaim has been reflected in a growing list of prestigious awards:

• HAF Goes to Cannes Award at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Project Market.
• Songwon Vision Award at the Busan International Film Festival 2025.
• Taipei Film Commission Award at the Busan International Film Festival 2025.
• Best Jury Award for Best Narrative Film at the Indie Meme Film Festival, Austin, Texas.
• Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative Film at the Indie Meme Film Festival.
• Grand Jury Prize at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) 2026.
• Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for Best Film at the Kolkata International Film Festival 2025.
• Dr. V. Shantaram Debut Director Award at the Third Eye Asian Film Festival 2026.
• Jury Award for Best Actress for Gaumaya Gurung at the Third Eye Asian Film Festival.
• Jury Award at the Jaffna International Cinema Festival.

In addition, the film received a nomination for the prestigious Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award at the Göteborg International Film Festival in Sweden, further cementing its international standing.

Bringing Sikkim to the Global Screen

The film has drawn support from acclaimed filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Payal Kapadia and international producer Mike Goodridge, who joined the project as executive producers. Consulting producer is Shobhit Singh, while co-producers include Neha Malik, Himanshu Kohli and Jung Woo Lee.

More than a film, Shape of Momo has emerged as a landmark achievement for Sikkimese and Northeast Indian cinema. Through its intimate portrayal of women, family, migration and identity, Tribeny Rai has transformed a local Himalayan story into a universally resonant work that continues to find audiences across continents.

From a script first imagined in 2019 to standing ovations at international festivals and a nationwide theatrical release in 2026, Shape of Momo represents the arrival of a powerful new cinematic voice from the Eastern Himalayas.