Shape of Momo

Shape of Momo
Nepaliछोरा जस्तै
Directed byTribeny Rai
Produced by
  • Geeta Rai
  • Kislay
Starring
  • Gaumaya Gurung
  • Pashupati Rai
Edited by
  • Aalayam Anil Kumar
  • Kislay
Music byMikhail Marak
Production
companies
  • Dalley Khorsani Productions
  • Kathkala Films
  • Aizoa Pictures
Distributed byCelluloid Dreams
Release date
  • 2025 (2025)
Running time
114 minutes[1]
Countries
  • India
  • Nepal
  • South Korea

Shape of Momo (Nepali: छोरा जस्तै, transl. Like a Son) is a 2025 Nepali-language drama film directed by Tribeny Rai, in her directorial debut. Loosely based on Rai's life, it follows Bishnu, a woman who returns to her hometown after quitting her job. The film premiered at the 30th Busan International Film Festival and will be distributed by Celluloid Dreams.

Premise

Bishnu quits her job in Delhi and returns to her mountain village in Sikkim.[2] Dealing with the patriarchal norms of her household, she finds herself grappling with family expectations, societal pressure, and her sense of self.[3][4]

Production

Writing

The film was influenced by Rai's own experiences returning to her hometown of Nandok, Sikkim after graduating from film school.[5][6] She described a "quiet struggle" that many of her peers faced, stating: "We leave the places that shaped us in search of opportunity, freedom and a better life, only to find ourselves belonging nowhere."[7] Rai was influenced by the work of Jia Zhangke, Nuri Bilge Ceylan and Apichatpong Weerasethakul.[8][3][9] Rai first pitched the film at a talent camp at the 2019 Fajr International Film Festival.[10][11] The script was first developed at the Clinik.Kathmandu script lab.[8] The script was further developed at Filmlab South Asia at the Dharamshala International Film Festival.[8] Rai stated that her first draft of the script was "more like a complaint letter" and that co-writer Kislay brought objectivity to the script.[12]

Casting

Rai stated that she aimed to find an actress for the protagonist that looked like her. Gaumaya Gurung was selected as Bishnu, the lead. Bishnu's mother was played by Pashupati Rai and her grandmother was played by a relative of Rai.[8][13]

Filming

Filming began in January 2024[10] and was shot primarily in Nandok, East Sikkim and Assam-Lingjey, East Sikkim.[9][12][1] The film was shot entirely in the Nepali language, Rai's mother tongue.[9] The film crew mostly composed of graduates from SRFTI, where Rai graduated, and FTII.[9]

Post-production

The film was produced by Dalley Khorsani Production, in association with Kathkala Films and Aizoa Pictures.[14] The film was produced by Geeta Rai and Kislay and co-produced by Neha Malik, Himanshu Kohli, and Jung Woo Lee.[15] Mike Goodridge served as an executive producer.[16] A demo of the film was shown at the 2022 Festival des 3 Continents' Produire au Sud Film Lab (South Asia).[17] Rai stated in November 2024 that the film was in its final stages of editing.[17] It was shown at the November 2024 NFDC Film Bazaar Work-in-Progress Lab.[18][19] The film completed production in August 2025.[2][16]

Music

Mikhail Marak composed the film's score, his debut film score. He met Rai while studying at SRFTI.[20]

Release

A demo of the film was shown at the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival, where it won the "HAF Goes to Cannes" Award.[21][22] An excerpt of the film was shown "HAF Goes to Cannes" program at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in May 2025.[23][24] It had its world premiere at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in September 2025, where it won the Songwon Vision Award and the Taipei Film Commission Award.[25][26] Celluloid Dreams acquired global sales rights in September 2025.[27][7] It was shown at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in September 2025 and was nominated for the New Directors Award.[10][28] It was shown at the Kolkata International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award,[29][30] 56th International Film Festival of India, and the 36th Singapore International Film Festival in November 2025.[31][32]

References

  1. ^ a b Habib, Atiqul (2025-09-26). "Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai's 'Shape of Momo' wows audiences at San Sebastián Film Festival". India Today NE. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  2. ^ a b Dhar, Debanjan (2025-09-21). "Shape of Momo Review | Tribeny Rai's Elegant Debut Prises Through Intergenerational Womanhood". Outlook India. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  3. ^ a b A.K., Arun (September 17, 2025). "Tribeny Rai by Arun A.K. - Three generations of women confront societal norms and emotional challenges in their Himalayan village". Bomb. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  4. ^ Dutta, Debashree (2025-08-22). "30th Busan International Film Festival: Must-Watch Indian Films". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  5. ^ Deepak, Sukant (Aug 31, 2025). "Gender is political: Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai's 'The Shape of Momo' is headed for Busan". The Tribune. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  6. ^ "'Shape of Momo' by Sikkim filmmaker bags two awards at Busan Film Festival". Assam Tribune. 2025-10-06. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  7. ^ a b Ramachandran, Naman (2025-09-21). "Busan, San Sebastián Title 'Shape of Momo' Dismantles Mountain Utopia Clichés in Debut Feature". Variety. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  8. ^ a b c d Joshi, Namrata (2025-08-29). "Tribeny Rai: Even in the absence of men, women carry the burden of patriarchy". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  9. ^ a b c d Anjum, Nawaid (2025-10-12). "Tribeny Rai interview: 'Sikkim lives in my mind as pieces of places, people, sounds'". The Federal. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  10. ^ a b c Chhetri, Vivek (2025-08-08). "Shape of Momo set for San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain, steam hits global stage". Telegraph India. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  11. ^ Chhetri, Vivek (2025-03-21). "Sikkim's Momo to tickle Cannes tastebuds; Film's global appeal in buffet section". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2025-04-20. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  12. ^ a b Sahani, Alaka (2025-11-24). "Tribeny Rai's Shape of Momo competes for top IFFI awards". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  13. ^ Nongmaithem, Herojit (2025-11-10). "Shape of Momo director Tribeny Rai on Independent Filmmaking from Sikkim, 2025". Frontline. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  14. ^ Pradhan, Sujal (2025-08-05). "Sikkim filmmaker Tribeny Rai's debut feature 'Shape of Momo' selected for San Sebastián Film Festival 2025". India Today NE. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  15. ^ "'Shape of Momo' by Sikkim filmmaker Tribeny Rai bags two awards at Busan Film Festival". The Statesman. 2025-10-05. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  16. ^ a b "Tribeny Rai's debut Nepali film selected for San Sebastián Film Festival". Sikkim Express. Aug 6, 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  17. ^ a b Frater, Patrick (2024-11-21). "Film Bazaar Work-in-Progress 'Shape of Momo' Aims to Reshape Women's Position in Society". Variety. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  18. ^ Ramachandran, Naman; Frater, Patrick (2024-11-24). "'Kurinji,' 'Hunter's Moon' and 'Shape of Momo' Claim Project and Work-in-Progress Awards at Film Bazaar". Variety. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  19. ^ "Sikkim filmmaker Tribeny Rai's 'Shape of Momo' to be screened at Busan International Film Festival 2025". Telegraph India. 2025-08-23. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  20. ^ Mitra, Nabamita (2025-10-26). "'Shape of Momo' was a challenging project: Mikhail Marak". Meghalaya Monitor. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  21. ^ "Sikkimese Filmmaker Tribeny Rai's Debut Film Shape Of Momo Selected For Hong Kong Film Festival 2025". Northeast Today. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  22. ^ Dasgupta, Priyanka (2025-03-26). "SRFTI alumna 1st woman from Hills wins international film award". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  23. ^ "Sikkimese film 'Shape of Momo' showcased at Cannes Film Market". Sikkim Express. May 22, 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  24. ^ "Sikkimese Filmmaker Tribeny Rai's Debut Film 'Shape Of Momo' Wins 'HAF Goes To Cannes' Award At Hong Kong Film Festival". Northeast Today. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  25. ^ "Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Geeta Rai's 'Shape of Momo' wins 2 awards at Busan film festival". The Tribune. Oct 5, 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  26. ^ Das, Garima (2025-10-06). "Tribeny Rai's Shape Of Momo Wins Two Awards At Busan International Film Festival". Outlook India. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  27. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2025-09-17). "Busan, San Sebastián Title 'Shape of Momo' Boarded by Celluloid Dreams (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  28. ^ "'Shape of Momo' marks powerful European debut for Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai". Sikkim Express. Sep 27, 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  29. ^ "Tribeny Rai's 'Shape of Momo' wins top honour at Kolkata International Film Festival 2025". Sikkim Express. Nov 14, 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  30. ^ Aparmita (2025-11-13). "Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai's 'Shape of Momo' debut film wins top honour at Kolkata festival". India Today NE. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  31. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2025-11-08). "'Shape of Momo,' 'Fury' Among Contenders for IFFI Goa's Best Debut Feature Prize". Variety. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
  32. ^ "From Sikkim to the World: Shape of Momo Continues Its Festival Journey". NE India Broadcast. Nov 8, 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
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