India’s tiny northern neighbour Bhutan at Jio MAMI’s 18th Mumbai FF with Star

A nine-member Bhutanese delegation, led by Dasho Karma W Penjor, Honourable Secretary of Ministry of Information and Communications, will participate in the Mumbai. Other members will include important members of Department of Information and Media, and members from the Bhutan Film Association. Bhutan is known as ‘The Land of the Thunder Dragon’ at the Festival.

Supported by government officials, the cinema of Bhutan is a small but emerging industry, standing at the threshold of its international breakthrough. Bhutan has a massive appetite for entertainment and the local movie industry also takes inspiration from Indian cinema.

Khyentse Norbu’s newest film, ‘Hema Hema: Sing Me a Song While I Wait’ will be screened as part of the World Cinema category. In this Buddhist-themed, intriguing Bhutanese drama, a group of people don masks and come together in the woods for fifteen days of liberating and transgressing anonymity.

Khyentse Norbu is a Bhutanese Buddhist teacher and film-maker who received worldwide fame in 1999, with his first film, ‘The Cup’.

Festival Director, Jio MAMI with Star Film Festival, Anupama Chopra said, “Bhutan is one of my favourite places on the planet, and it gives me great pleasure to have the Bhutanese delegation at our festival. It’s an honour for us. I hope this is the beginning of an enduring cultural exchange.”

The contingent will comprise:

1. Mr. Dasho Karma W Penjor- The Honorable Secretary of Ministry of Information and

Communications

2. Mr. Thinley Dorji- Librarian, Department of Information and Media

3. Mr. Phub Wangdi- Assistant Information and Media, Department of Information and

Media

And members from the Bhutan Film Association:

1. Mr. Tashi Gyeltshen- Filmmaker

2. Mr. Thukten Yeshi- Film Writer & Director/ Consultant

3. Mr. Pema Rinzin- Filmmaker, Sound Designer, Editor, Cinematographer & Archer

4. Mr. Chencho Dorji- Actor/Producer

5. Ms. Tsokye Tsomo Karchung- Actor (Miss Bhutan 2008)

6. Ms. Lhaki Dolma- Actor, writer (Post Graduate in Development & Management from Royal Institute of Management)