Sikkimese Indie film “Shape of Momo” makes powerful statement with festival win

A quiet yet impactful cinematic voice from the Northeast has found national recognition, as Shape of Momo , directed by Tribeny Rai, clinched the Best Fiction Film award at the fifth edition of the P K Rosy Film Festival held in Chennai.

The film’s victory at a festival curated by filmmaker Pa Ranjith under the banner of Neelam Cultural Centre is especially significant. Known for spotlighting Dalit and marginalised voices, the festival honours the legacy of P K Rosy, widely regarded as the first female actor in Malayalam cinema and a symbol of resistance against caste-based exclusion.

Shape of Momo tells the story of a woman who returns to her native village in Sikkim after leaving behind her urban life, only to confront deep-rooted societal expectations and familial pressures. Through this narrative, the film explores themes of identity, belonging, and the invisible weight of tradition.

For Rai, the recognition carries emotional and cultural weight. The filmmaker highlighted how being acknowledged on a platform dedicated to underrepresented communities adds deeper meaning to the win.

The film’s success is not limited to India. It had earlier earned accolades at the Spirit of Fire International Film Festival, where it won two awards in the International Debut Competition category.

With its growing list of honours, Shape of Momo is emerging as a poignant voice in Indian independent cinema, bringing stories from Sikkim into the global spotlight while resonating with universal themes.