Gangtok, March 18 The Sikkimese film 'Shape of Momo' has won two awards at the 'Spirit of Fire International Film Festival' in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, where it was showcased under the International Debut Competition.
Directed by Tribeny Rai, the Nepali-language film was awarded the 'Silver Taiga Award' for Best International Debut Film on March 16. It also received the 'Soul of Russia - World Cinema Special Prize' from the Roscongress Foundation for preserving traditional and cultural values.
Addressing the awards ceremony, Rai dedicated the awards to Sikkim and noted that the Himalayan state is set to host its International Film Festival from March 19.
Rai attended the festival along with her mother, Geeta Rai, who is also the producer of the film. She said winning an award alongside her mother was a special moment and described meeting filmmaker Emir Kusturica, president of the festival jury, as a personal highlight.
A resident of Nandok in East Sikkim, Rai had earlier participated in the VGIK International Summer School in Russia in 2016, where she made a short film.
Founded in 2003, the 'Spirit of Fire International Film Festival' focuses on debut works by emerging filmmakers from across the world.
'Shape of Momo' is next scheduled to be screened at the Cinema Asia Film Festival in Amsterdam in April, where it will have its Dutch premiere.
The makers are also preparing for the film’s all-India release, with a grand premiere planned in Gangtok. Talks with distributors are currently underway.