Key Points

Tribeny Rai's powerful film "Shape of Momo" has been selected for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival's HAF programme, marking a significant moment for Sikkimese cinema. The film explores a woman's journey against patriarchal constraints, set against the backdrop of a family believed to be cursed. Director Tribeny, along with producer Kislay and lead actor Gaumaya Gurung, represented the project at the global platform. Their participation highlights the growing diversity and unique storytelling emerging from India's regional film landscapes.

Key Points: Tribeny Rai's 'Shape of Momo' Shines at Cannes Film Festival

  • Sikkimese film challenges patriarchal narratives through unique storytelling
  • Supported by Sikkim's Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay
  • Selected for Marché du Film's "Goes to Cannes" programme
  • Represents emerging voices in global independent cinema
2 min read

Tribeny Rai's 'Shape of Momo' showcased at Cannes

Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai's groundbreaking drama selected for prestigious Cannes HAF programme, challenging mainstream Indian cinema narratives

"It is the biggest film market in the world, attracting top buyers and sellers globally. - Tribeny Rai"

Mumbai, May 21

Tribeny Rai's "Shape of Momo" was among five Asian works-in-progress selected for the prestigious “HAF Goes to Cannes” programme at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Director Tribeny, producer Kislay, and lead actor Gaumaya Gurung represented the drama at Cannes.

During the film festival, they also unveiled the film’s first poster.

Marché du Film's “Goes to Cannes” programme is aimed at highlighting new voices in global cinema.

“It is the biggest film market in the world, attracting top buyers and sellers globally. Having the chance to meet them and present our project was truly exciting. It was sometimes challenging because our film doesn’t resemble mainstream Indian projects, its distinct look and feel, shaped by our geography and culture, often required added context. But that’s exactly what makes it a Sikkimese film, and the process has been incredibly rewarding. We attended as many meetings as possible and are now focused on building a clear strategy based on the valuable feedback and interactions we had there," Tribeny said.

Showing her gratitude for the Sikkim government, the filmmaker added, “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our Honorable Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, for showing personal interest in the film and extending his unwavering support. A special note of thanks to our Honorable Member of Lok Sabha Indra Hang Subba, for supporting my trip to Cannes and for encouraging the participation and representation of Sikkimese artists on a global platform."

The "Shape of Momo" revolves around a woman determined not to let patriarchy and its influence push her down. She resigns from her job and returns to her family, which is believed to be cursed by the death of several of its male members, leaving the woman in the family unmotivated.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
So proud to see Indian regional cinema getting global recognition! 🎬 The Northeast has such rich stories to tell, and "Shape of Momo" sounds like a powerful narrative about women's resilience. Hope this opens doors for more Sikkimese filmmakers!
R
Rahul S.
Interesting title - "Shape of Momo"! At first I thought it was about food 😅 but the storyline sounds deep. Glad the Sikkim government supported this project. We need more diverse voices in Indian cinema beyond Bollywood.
A
Ananya M.
The film's theme reminds me of many small-town Indian women's struggles. Representation matters - hope this gets a proper nationwide release. Though I wonder if international audiences will fully grasp the cultural nuances without heavy subtitling.
V
Vikram J.
Great achievement for Indian cinema! But we must ask - why does recognition from the West (Cannes in this case) validate our art? Shouldn't we build our own platforms that celebrate regional stories with equal prestige?
N
Neha T.
The momo reference is clever - both a beloved food and now a metaphor for women's struggles in traditional societies. Hope the film does justice to Sikkim's unique culture without falling into stereotypes. Fingers crossed! 🤞
S
Sanjay R.
While I appreciate the government support, I hope this doesn't become another "project film" that only gets festival buzz but never reaches actual audiences. Regional cinema needs proper distribution channels to thrive.

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