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{{Short description|2025 film by Tribeny Rai}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox film
| native_name = {{Infobox name module|language=ne|title=छोरा जस्तै}}
| director = Tribeny Rai
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* Geeta Rai
* Kislay
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* Gaumaya Gurung
* Pashupati Rai
}}
| editing = {{Plainlist|
* Aalayam Anil Kumar
* Kislay
}}
| music = Mikhail Marak
| studio = {{Plain list|
* Dalley Khorsani Productions
* Kathkala Films
* Aizoa Pictures
}}
| distributor = [[Celluloid Dreams]]
| released = {{Film date|2025}}
| runtime = 114 minutes<ref name = "IndiaTodaySan"/>
| country = {{Plainlist|
* India
* Nepal
* South Korea
}}
}}

'''''Shape of Momo''''' ([[Nepali language|Nepali]]: छोरा जस्तै, {{Tooltip|transl.|translation}} Like a Son) is a 2025 [[Nepali language|Nepali-language]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] film directed by Tribeny Rai, in her directorial debut. Loosely based on Rai's life, it follows Bishnu, a woman who returns to her hometown after quitting her job. The film premiered at the [[30th Busan International Film Festival]] and will be distributed by [[Celluloid Dreams]].

== Premise ==
Bishnu quits her job in [[Delhi]] and returns to her mountain village in [[Sikkim]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Dhar |first=Debanjan |date=2025-09-21 |title=Shape of Momo Review {{!}} Tribeny Rai’s Elegant Debut Prises Through Intergenerational Womanhood |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/movie-review/shape-of-momo-review-tribeny-rais-elegant-debut-prises-through-intergenerational-womanhood |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref> Dealing with the patriarchal norms of her household, she finds herself grappling with family expectations, societal pressure, and her sense of self.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=A.K. |first=Arun |date=17 September 2025 |title=Tribeny Rai by Arun A.K. - Three generations of women confront societal norms and emotional challenges in their Himalayan village. |url=https://bombmagazine.org/articles/2025/09/17/tribeny-rai-by-arun-a-k/ |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=[[Bomb (magazine)|Bomb]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dutta |first=Debashree |date=2025-08-22 |title=30th Busan International Film Festival: Must-Watch Indian Films |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/30th-busan-international-film-festival-must-watch-indian-films/ |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Production ==

=== Writing ===
The film was influenced by Rai's own experiences returning to her hometown of Nandok, [[Sikkim]] after graduating from [[film school]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deepak |first=Sukant |date=31 August 2025 |title=Gender is political: Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai’s ‘The Shape of Momo’ is headed for Busan |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/variety/gender-is-political-sikkimese-filmmaker-tribeny-rais-the-shape-of-momo-is-headed-for-busan/ |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=[[The Tribune (India)|The Tribune]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-10-06 |title=‘Shape of Momo’ by Sikkim filmmaker bags two awards at Busan Film Festival |url=https://assamtribune.com/entertainment/shape-of-momo-by-sikkim-filmmaker-bags-two-awards-at-busan-film-festival-1593550 |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Assam Tribune |language=en}}</ref> She described a "quiet struggle" that many of her peers faced, stating: "We leave the places that shaped us in search of opportunity, freedom and a better life, only to find ourselves belonging nowhere."<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2025-09-21 |title=Busan, San Sebastián Title ‘Shape of Momo’ Dismantles Mountain Utopia Clichés in Debut Feature |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/festivals/shape-of-momo-tribeny-rai-busan-san-sebastian-1236525542/ |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Rai was influenced by the work of [[Jia Zhangke]], [[Nuri Bilge Ceylan]] and [[Apichatpong Weerasethakul]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Joshi |first=Namrata |date=2025-08-29 |title=Tribeny Rai: Even in the absence of men, women carry the burden of patriarchy |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/english/2025/Aug/29/internationalinterviews2025aug27tribeny-rai-even-in-the-absence-of-men-women-carry-the-burden-of-patriarchy |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Anjum |first=Nawaid |date=2025-10-12 |title=Tribeny Rai interview: ‘Sikkim lives in my mind as pieces of places, people, sounds’ |url=https://thefederal.com/films/tribeny-rai-sikkim-shape-of-momo-busan-international-film-festival-northeast-211104 |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=The Federal |language=en}}</ref> Rai first pitched the film at a talent camp at the 2019 [[Fajr International Film Festival]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Chhetri |first=Vivek |date=2025-08-08 |title=Shape of Momo set for San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain, steam hits global stage |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/shape-of-momo-set-for-san-sebastian-film-festival-in-spain-steam-hits-global-stage-prnt/cid/2116947 |access-date=2025-11-23 |work=Telegraph India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chhetri |first=Vivek |date=2025-03-21 |title=Sikkim's Momo to tickle Cannes tastebuds; Film's global appeal in buffet section |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/sikkims-momo-to-tickle-cannes-tastebuds-films-global-appeal-in-buffet-section-prnt/cid/2089978 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420040508/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/sikkims-momo-to-tickle-cannes-tastebuds-films-global-appeal-in-buffet-section-prnt/cid/2089978 |archive-date=2025-04-20 |access-date=2025-11-24 |work=The Telegraph |language=en }}</ref> The script was first developed at the Clinik.Kathmandu script lab.<ref name=":2" /> The script was further developed at Filmlab South Asia at the [[Dharamshala International Film Festival]].<ref name=":2" /> Rai stated that her first draft of the script was "more like a complaint letter" and that co-writer Kislay brought objectivity to the script.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Sahani |first=Alaka |date=2025-11-24 |title=Tribeny Rai’s Shape of Momo competes for top IFFI awards |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tribeny-rais-shape-of-momo-competes-for-top-iffi-awards-10380667/ |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
Rai stated that she aimed to find an actress for the [[protagonist]] that looked like her. Gaumaya Gurung was selected as Bishnu, the lead. Bishnu's mother was played by Pashupati Rai and her grandmother was played by a relative of Rai.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nongmaithem |first=Herojit |date=2025-11-10 |title=Shape of Momo director Tribeny Rai on Independent Filmmaking from Sikkim, 2025 |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/arts-and-culture/cinema/tribeny-rai-sikkim-independent-cinema/article70261713.ece |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
Filming began in January 2024<ref name=":5" /> and was shot primarily in Nandok, [[East Sikkim]] and [[Assam–Lingjey Assembly constituency|Assam-Lingjey]], East Sikkim.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /><ref name = "IndiaTodaySan">{{Cite web |last=Habib |first=Atiqul |date=2025-09-26 |title=Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai’s ‘Shape of Momo’ wows audiences at San Sebastián Film Festival |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/entertainment/story/sikkimese-filmmaker-tribeny-rais-shape-of-momo-wows-audiences-at-san-sebastian-film-festival-1283088-2025-09-26 |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=India Today NE |language=}}</ref> The film was shot entirely in the [[Nepali language]], Rai's [[mother tongue]].<ref name=":9" /> The film crew mostly composed of graduates from [[Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute|SRFTI]], where Rai graduated, and [[Film and Television Institute of India|FTII]].<ref name=":9" />

=== Post-production ===
The film was produced by Dalley Khorsani Production, in association with Kathkala Films and Aizoa Pictures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pradhan |first=Sujal |date=2025-08-05 |title=Sikkim filmmaker Tribeny Rai’s debut feature 'Shape of Momo' selected for San Sebastián Film Festival 2025 |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/sikkim/story/sikkim-filmmaker-tribeny-rais-debut-feature-shape-of-momo-selected-for-san-sebastian-film-festival-2025-1256509-2025-08-05 |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=India Today NE |language=}}</ref> The film was produced by Geeta Rai and Kislay and co-produced by Neha Malik, Himanshu Kohli, and Jung Woo Lee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-05 |title='Shape of Momo' by Sikkim filmmaker Tribeny Rai bags two awards at Busan Film Festival |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/shape-of-momo-by-sikkim-filmmaker-tribeny-rai-bags-two-awards-at-busan-film-festival-1503495307.html |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref> Mike Goodridge served as an executive producer.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=6 August 2025 |title=Tribeny Rai’s debut Nepali film selected for San Sebastián Film Festival |url=https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/tribeny-rais-debut-nepali-film-selected-for-san-sebastin-film-festival |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Sikkim Express}}</ref> A demo of the film was shown at the 2022 [[Festival des 3 Continents]]' Produire au Sud Film Lab (South Asia).<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=2024-11-21 |title=Film Bazaar Work-in-Progress ‘Shape of Momo’ Aims to Reshape Women’s Position in Society |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/film-bazaar-shape-of-momo-women-in-society-1236216460/ |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Rai stated in November 2024 that the film was in its final stages of editing.<ref name=":7" /> It was shown at the November 2024 [[National Film Development Corporation of India|NFDC]] Film Bazaar Work-in-Progress Lab.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |last2=Frater |first2=Patrick |date=2024-11-24 |title=‘Kurinji,’ ‘Hunter’s Moon’ and ‘Shape of Momo’ Claim Project and Work-in-Progress Awards at Film Bazaar |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/asia/film-bazaar-winners-kurinji-hunters-moon-1236221945/ |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=2025-08-23 |title=Sikkim filmmaker Tribeny Rai’s ‘Shape of Momo’ to be screened at Busan International Film Festival 2025 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/sikkim-filmmakers-debut-feature-shape-of-momo-to-be-screened-at-busan-international-film-festival-2025/cid/2119345 |access-date=2025-11-24 |work=Telegraph India}}</ref> The film completed production in August 2025.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":11" />

=== Music ===
Mikhail Marak composed the film's score, his debut film score. He met Rai while studying at SRFTI.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitra |first=Nabamita |date=2025-10-26 |title='Shape of Momo' was a challenging project: Mikhail Marak |url=https://meghalayamonitor.com/shape-of-momo-was-a-challenging-project-mikhail-marak/ |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Meghalaya Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Release ==
A demo of the film was shown at the [[49th Hong Kong International Film Festival]], where it won the "HAF Goes to Cannes" Award.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 February 2025 |title=Sikkimese Filmmaker Tribeny Rai’s Debut Film Shape Of Momo Selected For Hong Kong Film Festival 2025 |url=https://northeasttoday.in/northeast/sikkimese-filmmaker-tribeny-rais-debut-film-shape-of-momo-selected-for-hong-kong-film-festival-2025/ |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Northeast Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dasgupta |first=Priyanka |date=2025-03-26 |title=SRFTI alumna 1st woman from Hills wins international film award |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/srfti-alumna-1st-woman-from-hills-to-win-intl-film-award/articleshow/119314027.cms |access-date=2025-11-24 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> An excerpt of the film was shown "HAF Goes to Cannes" program at the [[2025 Cannes Film Festival]] in May 2025.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=22 May 2025 |title=Sikkimese film ‘Shape of Momo’ showcased at Cannes Film Market |url=https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/sikkimese-film-shape-of-momo-showcased-at-cannes-film-market |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Sikkim Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 March 2025 |title=Sikkimese Filmmaker Tribeny Rai’s Debut Film ‘Shape Of Momo’ Wins ‘HAF Goes To Cannes’ Award At Hong Kong Film Festival |url=https://northeasttoday.in/northeast/sikkimese-filmmaker-tribeny-rais-debut-film-shape-of-momo-wins-haf-goes-to-cannes-award-at-hong-kong-film-festival/ |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Northeast Today}}</ref> It had its world premiere at the [[30th Busan International Film Festival]] in September 2025, where it won the Songwon Vision Award and the Taipei Film Commission Award.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 Oct 2025 |title=Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Geeta Rai’s ‘Shape of Momo’ wins 2 awards at Busan film festival |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/sikkimese-filmmaker-tribeny-geeta-rais-shape-of-momo-wins-2-awards-at-busan-film-festival/ |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Das |first=Garima |date=2025-10-06 |title=Tribeny Rai's Shape Of Momo Wins Two Awards At Busan International Film Festival |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/tribeny-rais-shape-of-momo-wins-two-awards-at-busan-international-film-festival |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Outlook India |language=en}}</ref> [[Celluloid Dreams]] acquired global sales rights in September 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2025-09-17 |title=Busan, San Sebastián Title ‘Shape of Momo’ Boarded by Celluloid Dreams (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/shape-of-momo-busan-san-sebastian-celluloid-dreams-1236521348/ |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> It was shown at the [[San Sebastián International Film Festival]] in September 2025 and was nominated for the New Directors Award.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2025 |title=‘Shape of Momo’ marks powerful European debut for Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai |url=https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/shape-of-momo-marks-powerful-european-debut-for-sikkimese-filmmaker-tribeny-rai |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Sikkim Express}}</ref> It was shown at the [[Kolkata International Film Festival]], where it won the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award,<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 November 2025 |title=Tribeny Rai’s ‘Shape of Momo’ wins top honour at Kolkata International Film Festival 2025 |url=https://sikkimexpress.com/news-details/tribeny-rais-shape-of-momo-wins-top-honour-at-kolkata-international-film-festival-2025 |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=Sikkim Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Aparmita |date=2025-11-13 |title=Sikkimese filmmaker Tribeny Rai’s 'Shape of Momo' debut film wins top honour at Kolkata festival |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/sikkim/story/sikkimese-filmmaker-tribeny-rais-shape-of-momo-debut-film-wins-top-honour-at-kolkata-festival-1303538-2025-11-13 |access-date=2025-11-24 |website=India Today NE |language=}}</ref> [[56th International Film Festival of India]], and the [[36th Singapore International Film Festival]] in November 2025.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2025-11-08 |title=‘Shape of Momo,’ ‘Fury’ Among Contenders for IFFI Goa’s Best Debut Feature Prize |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/festivals/shape-of-momo-fury-iffi-debut-film-prize-1236573028/ |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 November 2025 |title=From Sikkim to the World: Shape of Momo Continues Its Festival Journey |url=https://neindiabroadcast.com/2025/11/08/from-sikkim-to-the-world-shape-of-momo-continues-its-festival-journey/ |access-date=2025-11-24 |work=NE India Broadcast}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{IMDb title}}

[[Category:2025 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2020s Nepali-language films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Sikkim]]
[[Category:Films set in Sikkim]]
[[Category:2025 independent films]]
[[Category:Indian independent films]]

Shape of Momo - Revision history

BernadineMedwort: Adding Data