A major boost for emerging regional cinema arrived as Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai’s first Nepali feature, Shape of Momo, secured the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for Best Film in the Indian Languages Competition at the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) 2025.

The national award, announced on November 13, includes a Rs 10-lakh cash prize along with the festival’s signature Golden Royal Bengal Tiger trophy.

Rai, accepting the honour, thanked the jury, organisers, and her team, noting that the win belonged equally to the cast and crew. She also acknowledged the role of the Sikkim government and its leadership, saying her debut film “would not have been possible without their encouragement and support,” adding that she wished to thank the Chief Minister “from this prestigious

See Full Page