13/04/2026
Grateful to Sikkim Chronicle for capturing this journey. To see it acknowledged like this, truly means a lot. This win at Nepal International Film Festival belongs as much to the hills of Darjeeling, Sikkim and Nepal as it does to our team. Thank you for amplifying voices from the margins and helping them travel further. And maybe this is the simplest way to say it - The more rooted the story, the farther it travels.
âJAARâ WINS BEST SOUTH ASIAN FEATURE FILM AT NIFF 2026
Jaar, directed by Phurba Tshering Lama, has won Best Feature Film in the South Asian Panorama at the 9th Nepal International Film Festival.
The jury awarded the film for its powerful portrayal of love, desire, and rebellion in 19th century Nepal under the Rana regime, highlighting its unflinching depiction of gender oppression and the struggle for personal freedom within a deeply conservative society.
NIFF 2026 showcased a wide spectrum of global cinema. Other top honors included Pooja, Sir by Deepak Rauniyar (Best International Feature Film) and Gunyo Cholo (The Dress) by Samundra Bhatta (Best National Feature Film).
Jaar was presented at the Russian House, attended by the director along with supporting actor Col Bimal Dewan and Head of Marketing Trilochan Pandey.
Set in 19th century Nepal and adapted from a story by Indra Bahadur Rai, Jaar explores identity, justice, stigma, and exile through an intimate and visually striking lens. The film stars Geetanjali Thapa, Saugat Malla, and Anoop Bikram Shahi in lead roles, supported by a strong ensemble including Jai Prakash Lama, Col Bimal Dewan, Late Subedar Major Dorjee Lama, Late Bimala Thatal, Devikala Limboo, Sushmita Bhujel, and Younam Limboo.
Phurba Tshering Lama, an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India, began his journey with the internationally acclaimed short film Ek Dhakar Jiwan, which won the Best Short Film Peace Award at the Gothenburg Independent Film Festival and received a Special Jury Mention at Clermont Ferrand.
With Jaar, his debut feature, Lama establishes a distinct cinematic voice rooted in Himalayan identity, blending visual austerity with emotional intensity. The film has previously been selected for the Main Competition at the Alania Film Festival in Russia, won Best Picture at the Indic Film Utsav in Dallas, and is an Official Selection at the South Asian Film Festival of Florida.
The film is produced by Ferry Tale Pictures and co produced by Hope Reels - Anita Pauline Dey, LA - 7 Shorts: Jyoti Chettri, Shristi Sharma, Prajwal Kharel, Baral Studios: Dr. Siddhi Raj Sharma, Kiwa Productions Mr. Gyan Rai, and Community Crowd Funding. Jaar was also supported by the Government of Sikkim (IPR), under the initiative of Honourable Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Goley to promote regional cinema.
Executive Producers include Nursang Bhutia, Neeraj Rai, Jyoti Chettri, and Pema Rinzing Lepcha. Marketing, PR, and sponsorship is led by Trilochan Pandey. Accounts and logistical support were overseen by FTP co-founder Mr. Habib Shah. The team also acknowledges the exceptional contribution of Mr. Chanchal Thapa, who came on board voluntarily at a critical juncture to manage and coordinate screenings across India, Nepal, and with international distributors.
This recognition at NIFF is more than an individual achievement. It marks a pivotal cultural moment for filmmakers from Darjeeling and Sikkim. Regions often underrepresented in mainstream Indian and global cinema, the Eastern Himalayas carry a rich reservoir of stories, languages, and lived experiences that rarely find space on international platforms.
Jaarâs success signals a growing acknowledgment of these voices. It opens doors for more filmmakers from the hills to tell their stories without dilution, and strengthens the case for institutional and financial support for regional cinema. In many ways, this win stands as both validation and momentum, a reminder that stories rooted in specificity can resonate universally.
