Mumbai, Jan 17: Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai has won the prestigious Dr. V. Shantaram Debut Director Award at the 22nd Third Eye Asian Film Festival for her debut feature film Shape of Momo. The film was selected in the Indian Competition section of the festival, marking a major milestone for cinema from Sikkim and the Northeast.
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| Tribeny Rai |
At the same festival, actor Gaumaya Gurung received the Jury Award for Best Actor (Female) for her compelling performance in Shape of Momo. The awards were accepted on behalf of the director and actor by the film’s cinematographer Archana Ghangrekar during the closing ceremony held in Mumbai. The honours were presented by Kiran V. Shantaram, Chairman of the Asian Film Foundation.
Expressing her gratitude, Tribeny Rai said the team was elated by the recognition the film has received. She added that she hopes the journey of Shape of Momo will inspire many young people from her home state to step into the world of filmmaking.
Growing International Recognition
Shape of Momo has been garnering international acclaim even before its success at the Third Eye Asian Film Festival. The film earlier won the Jury Award at the Jaffna International Cinema Festival and has been nominated for the Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award 2026 at the Göteborg International Film Festival, Sweden.
The film is also scheduled to be screened at upcoming festivals in France and India, underscoring its growing global footprint and the rising visibility of Northeast Indian cinema on the international stage.
Director Tribeny Rai said she is eager to bring Shape of Momo back home for audiences in Sikkim and North Bengal to experience the film on the big screen, describing the journey so far as both humbling and encouraging.
