The second edition of The Himalayan Film Festival (THFF) came to a spectacular close, celebrating the best of cinema from the Himalayan region. Short films “Taar,” “Thigspa” (Last Drop), “Memoria,” and “Nyoli” emerged as the standouts of the five-day event held at the Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra in Leh, Ladakh, on Tuesday night.
“Taar,” directed by Tsering Lhanzes, claimed the top honors, securing the prestigious award at THFF. “Thigspa” (Last Drop), co-directed by Tsering Wangdus Lonpo and Tashi Dawa, was named the first runner-up, while “Memoria” by Shashvat Kaushal and “Nyoli” by Samar Belwal received recognition as the second runners-up in the competition.
An elated Tsering Lhanzes expressed her joy, saying, “I am thrilled and honored to have won the award. It’s a moment of immense gratitude and validation for all the hard work that went into achieving this. I also want to thank The Himalayan Film Festival for showcasing my film.”
Tsering Wangdus Lonpo, co-director of “Thigspa” (Last Drop), emphasized the transformative power of films, stating, “Winning this award reaffirms our belief that films can be a force for positive change. It highlights the power of collaboration between filmmakers, environmentalists, activists, policy makers, and all of those who care about the earth.”
The Himalayan Film Festival has emerged as a vital platform for filmmakers from the region to showcase their work and connect with established figures in Bollywood. Dawa, co-director of “Thigspa,” expressed optimism, saying, “This time we came second, next time we’ll try to come first.”
For Shashvat Kaushal, the director of “Memoria,” this victory represents a personal milestone. He reflected on the challenges of creating a compelling film within a short timeframe, stating, “Making a film in a short span of time is a gigantic task. To make something that is loved and appreciated feels really surreal.”
Samar Belwal, the director of “Nyoli,” described the journey as a dream come true and expressed his excitement about the future, saying, “Words can’t quite capture the excitement and gratitude I’m feeling right now. I look forward to what the future holds and am excited to continue this creative journey.”
The second THFF commenced with the screening of “Jaane Jaan” and “Last Days of Summer” on September 29, and “Three of Us” brought down the curtains at the gala on October 3. THFF is organized by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) of the Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh in collaboration with the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. This festival not only recognizes cinematic talent but also fosters cultural exchange and creative expression in the Himalayan region.
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