Guwahati, May 28: Sikkim filmmaker Tribeny Rai’s debut feature Shape of Momo is set to release in Indian theatres on May 29 after earning acclaim across international film festivals. Ahead of its release, Rai reflected on how the film’s growing recognition signals a turning point for emerging filmmakers from Sikkim and the wider North East.

She noted that the idea of art and artists in Sikkim is only beginning to flourish, aided by recent state government support. “The kind of love that our film has been receiving, a lot of people have begun to understand the journey of a filmmaker and filmmaking,” Rai said, expressing hope that younger generations from the region will now see filmmaking as a viable career.

Addressing the challenges faced by women in cinema, Rai observed that female directors often need to go further to prove their authority on set. “When a man is at the helm of a shoot, people automatically take his order. But a woman has to go an extra mile to prove that she is capable of being in charge,” she remarked, adding that many women in her region continue to face such obstacles despite their talent and determination.

Rai also Emphasized the growing openness of Indian audiences to independent films, crediting studios like Spirit Media for bringing such works to theatres. She pointed to recent releases including All We Imagine as Light and Sabar Bonda, as well as regional successes like Rima Das’s Village Rockstars and Lakshmipriya Devi’s Boong, as examples of how diverse stories from the margins are reaching mainstream audiences.

With Shape of Momo now poised for its theatrical run, Rai hopes the film’s journey will open doors for other aspiring filmmakers from the North East, encouraging them to bring their stories to the big screen.