Shape of Momos, the debut feature by Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai, was showcased under the Indian Panorama section at the 56th International Film Festival of India on Thursday. Following the screening, Rai, producer and co-writer Kislay, and lead actor Gaumaya Gurung addressed the media at a press conference at the festival venue.
Rai, an alumna of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata, said the film continues her exploration of women’s experiences in the Eastern Himalayan region. She described the filmmaking journey as challenging due to limited infrastructure in Sikkim, noting that professional equipment still has to be sourced from larger cities such as Kolkata, Kathmandu and Guwahati. She added that the film’s travel to international festivals, including Busan, has been “fulfilling.”
Explaining the title, Rai said momos are part of everyday life in Sikkim — from weddings to funerals — and the film reflects the daily realities and emotional worlds of the community she belongs to.
Kislay said Rai’s first draft contained a strong personal voice that shaped the screenplay. He pointed out that films from Sikkim and other Northeastern regions often remain underrepresented in mainstream cinema or are shown through narrow stereotypes. The selection at IFFI, he said, is a long-held aspiration.
Lead actor Gaumaya Gurung said she was drawn to the project because of its female point of view, which she feels is uncommon in Nepali-language cinema. She highlighted the film’s balance of external reality with the protagonist’s inner world.
The team acknowledged difficulties in distribution and marketing for independent films from the region. Shape of Momos is expected to release in Sikkim, North Bengal, parts of Meghalaya and Assam, and Dehradun — regions with Nepali-speaking audiences. The film will also have a theatrical release in Italy.
Rai, who identifies as the first woman filmmaker from Sikkim, said the state’s filmmaking ecosystem is still developing. She said young Sikkimese film students have responded positively to the film’s representation of familiar, everyday stories. She also noted that mainstream Hindi cinema and some series tend to portray the Northeast through exotic or drug-related narratives, and stated that her aim was to place ordinary Sikkimese characters at the centre.
The International Film Festival of India, established in 1952 and jointly organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s National Film Development Corporation and the Government of Goa’s Entertainment Society of Goa, is South Asia’s oldest and largest film festival. The 56th edition, held from November 20–28 in Goa, features international competitions, masterclasses, tributes and the WAVES Film Bazaar.