Tibetan filmmakers’ collective to showcase films online

By Choekyi Lhamo

DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 1: The Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) in collaboration with Drung Tibetan Filmmakers’ Collective announced the online edition of Tibetan films with diverse filmmakers spread across the globe on Tuesday. The initiative showcases over 30 diverse range of exile Tibetan films on a limited-period online streaming platform on tibetfilms.com from Dec. 3 to 13 on pay-per-view basis.

DIFF co-founder Tenzing Sonam in a press release said, “Films coming out of the exile Tibetan community are diverse and wide-ranging. Many have found recognition on the international stage. But sadly, access to these films, particularly for Tibetans, is limited and most remain unseen by the larger community. It is to try and fill this gap that DIFF and Drung have joined forces and started this new initiative.” He also said that Tibetan filmmakers have gained momentum and taken great strides in finding their own cinematic voice and language in the recent years. DIFF successfully concluded its 9^th festival edition online showcasing award-winning independent films in November.

Drung co-founder Tenzin Kalden told Phayul about the aim of this project, “This will make Tibetan films available for Tibetans around the world as most of these films are not released widely due to the exile set-up. Hopefully, it will encourage diverse creative pursuits in the field of filmmaking and support films produced in the community.” The filmmakers’ collective has conducted several episodes featuring Tibetan musicians and is currently working towards a Tibetan sitcom in the near future. 

The selected films include works of filmmakers Geleck Palsang, Kalsang Rinchen, Kelsang Tsering Khangsar, Kunsang Kyirong, Ritu Sarin & Tenzing Sonam, Sonam Tseten, Tashi Wangchuk & Tsultrim Dorjee, Tenzin Dasel, Tenzin Kalden, Tenzin Phuntsog, Tenzin Tsetan Choklay, Tsering Rhitar Sherpa and Tsering Wangmo.