As a photographer, Dorji has contributed to publications such as
VICE,
Esquire, and
Life. He has authored a number of photography essay books. His third book
Light of the Moon was shot over the course of five years. Dorji, a devout Buddhist, is a student of renowned Buddhist master and filmmaker
Khyentse Norbu and discovered filmmaking through working with him, first as director's assistant on
Vara: A Blessing (2013) and then as producer of
Hema Hema (2016). Dorji filmed his feature directorial debut over the course of two months at a remote school in the Himalayan village of Lunana.
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom had its world premiere at the 63rd
BFI London Film Festival. The film won Audience Choice and Best of the Fest award at the 2020
Palm Springs International Film Festival. It was initially intended to be Bhutan's second submission for Best International Feature at the
93rd Academy Awards, but due to an error was resubmitted the following year, becoming Bhutan's first Oscar nomination. Dorji responded saying "The most magical part of this is it was so unexpected... I hope it inspires Bhutanese and Himalayan filmmakers." On 17 December 2022, on the 115th National Day of
Bhutan, Dorji was awarded the highest civilian award in Bhutan the
Royal Order of Bhutan, the Druk Thuksey, the Heart Son of the Thunder Dragon, by King
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. A Royal Order bestowed to recognize distinguished service to the Bhutanese nation and people. Dorji became the youngest recipient in the history of Bhutan and the first Bhutanese film maker to be awarded the
Druk Thuksey. Dorji's second feature film
The Monk and the Gun had its world premiere at the 50th
Telluride Film Festival. The film had its International Premiere at the
48th Toronto International Film Festival as part of the festival's Centrepiece Programme.
Bhutan submitted
The Monk and the Gun as Bhutan's official submission for the Best International Feature Film race at the 96th
Academy Awards, and it was shortlisted. ==Personal life==