GANGTOK,: Filmmaker Tribeny Rai is already garnering national and international media attention for Sikkim as she enters the final production phase of her debut full-length Nepali film, shot entirely in her home State.
In a recent development, the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) on Monday announced that it has chosen "six exceptional fiction films" for the Work-in-Progress Lab at Film Bazaar 2024. The market runs concurrently with the International Film Festival of India, which unspools November 20-28 across Goa.
Among these six selected films is Tribeny Rai’s Nepali-language film titled ‘Shape of Momo’. The hard-hitting film revolves around Bishnu and her multi-generational family of women navigating patriarchal norms, grappling with the decision to either adapt to or challenge these norms in pursuit of their goals. It is a poignant reflection on the complexities of identity and freedom within a conventional community.
Selection of Tribeny’s film by the NFDC’s Film Bazaar has been reported widely by both national media houses like ‘Hindustan Times’ and US-based popular online news house ‘Variety’.
The Work-in-Progress Lab has established itself as a stepping stone for independent South Asian cinema and allows real-time collaboration between filmmakers and mentors during the post-production phase.
The program, which focuses on theatrical features, pairs directors and editors with industry veterans for one-on-one feedback sessions. Mentors include festival directors, critics, producers, and established editors who work with the filmmakers to achieve their final cuts.
“I applied to this lab because of the transformative impact it has had on other filmmakers' debut projects. After working extensively on our rough cut, I know that expert feedback will be crucial to shaping our film’s final version. The lab’s access to industry connections—producers, distributors, and festival programmers—would be invaluable for our film’s journey, bringing visibility and attracting potential interest,” said Tribeny Rai.
Since its 2008 launch, the Work-in-Progress Lab has proven instrumental in launching films that have made their mark on the international festival circuit. Notable alumni include “Putul Nacher Itikatha” (2023), Busan winner “Shivamma” (2021), “Eeb Allay Ooo!” (2018), “Lipstick Under My Burkha” (2015), and “Ship of Theseus” (2011).
“I am also excited about the lab's support, including post-production resources, technical assistance, and potential funding. With this guidance, I believe we can overcome some of the challenges and bring our project to its fullest potential,” added Tribeny.
Tribeny Rai hails from Nandok near Gangtok. With multiple awards for her short films, she has represented Sikkim and India at international film festivals, the most recent being the 29th Busan International Film Festival in October this year.