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Shape of Momo

Shape of Momo is a 2025 Nepali-language 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. Dealing with the patriarchal norms of her household, she finds herself grappling with family expectations, societal pressure, and her sense of self. == Production ==
Production
Writing The film was influenced by Rai's own experiences returning to her hometown of Nandok, Sikkim after graduating from film school. 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." Rai was influenced by the work of Jia Zhangke, Nuri Bilge Ceylan and Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Rai first pitched the film at a talent camp at the 2019 Fajr International Film Festival. The script was first developed at the Clinik.Kathmandu script lab. 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. Filming Filming began in January 2024 The film was shot entirely in the Nepali language, Rai's mother tongue. The film was produced by Geeta Rai and Kislay and co-produced by Neha Malik, Himanshu Kohli, and Jung Woo Lee. Mike Goodridge served as an executive producer. A demo of the film was shown at the 2022 Festival des 3 Continents' Produire au Sud Film Lab (South Asia). Rai stated in November 2024 that the film was in its final stages of editing. The film completed production in August 2025. == Release ==
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. An excerpt of the film was shown "HAF Goes to Cannes" program at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in May 2025. 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. Celluloid Dreams acquired global sales rights in September 2025. It was shown at the Kolkata International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award, 56th International Film Festival of India, and the 36th Singapore International Film Festival in November 2025. == References ==
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