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Ladakh’s story of dreams, resilience and ice hockey reaches international audiences through filmmaker Sahil H. Shah’s debut feature.
KARGIL: Bringing the stories, culture and aspirations of Ladakh to the international cinematic platform, Birds on Ice, an independent Ladakhi-language feature film directed by Sahil H. Shah, has received an encouraging response at two prominent international film festivals. The film was entirely self-produced by Sahil H. Shah and Tanvi Aggarwal with the support of friends and family, without any backing from a production house.
The film had its World Premiere at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, where all three screenings were reported to be houseful, with audiences responding warmly to the film and its portrayal of life in Ladakh.
A special highlight of the festival was the participation of Padma Chorol, a forward for India’s National Women’s Ice Hockey Team, who plays herself in the film. Representing Ladakh in traditional attire, she brought the region’s culture, identity and ice hockey tradition to the international platform.
Following its successful world premiere, the film had its South Asian Premiere at the 15th Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) on October 29 at Hermann Gmeiner Hall, Tibetan Children’s Village, Dharamshala. The screening witnessed a full house and concluded with an over-one-minute-long standing ovation for the cast and crew.
The screening was attended by lead cast members Samzang Skitdon, Kunga Choskyab and Nawang Chopal, along with director Sahil H. Shah, writer Shaan Pasricha and producer Tanvi Aggarwal. A question-and-answer session was also organised after the screening, allowing audiences to interact with the filmmakers and cast members about the film, its making, Ladakhi culture and the region’s ice hockey tradition.
Birds on Ice tells the story of Tashi, a young Ladakhi girl living with her grandfather while waiting for her parents to return from grazing their animals. Amid grief, family challenges and harsh winters, Tashi dreams of playing ice hockey on the frozen natural rinks of the Ladakh Himalayas. Her journey explores friendship, belonging, resilience and the joy of pursuing one’s dreams.
The 85-minute film is in the Ladakhi language and belongs to the drama, sports and children’s genres. It features Samzang Skitdon as Tashi, Nawang Chopal as Grandfather, Padma Chorol as Paami, Kunga Choskyab as Norbu and Sonam Stobgais as Dorje.
The film is directed by Sahil H. Shah, written by Shaan Pasricha and produced by Sahil H. Shah and Tanvi Aggarwal. Cinematography is by Srijan Chaurasia, editing by Divyashree Samantaray, while the music is composed by Joel Crasto and Tenzin Choegyal, the ARIA- and Grammy-nominated Tibetan-Australian singer and songwriter.
The film was made through the collective efforts of friends and family. Local Ladakhi filmmakers Omyer Lassu and Tenzin Jampel brought their local knowledge and creative nuances to the film through their work in line production, casting and production design. Stanzin Dolkar also contributed as acting coach and language translator.
Through its narrative, the film brings attention to Ladakh’s ice hockey culture, the challenges faced by local players and the limited availability of natural ice rinks during the winter season. It also presents the aspirations of young girls who dream of pursuing the sport despite geographical and climatic challenges.
The film’s international festival journey has also attracted media attention, with coverage in publications including The Hollywood Reporter, The Print, Hindustan Times, The Tribune, Variety, Mid-Day and ETV Bharat.
With its screenings at Busan and Dharamshala, Birds on Ice has brought a Ladakhi-language story, local talent and the region’s ice hockey culture before audiences beyond the Himalayas.
The film stands as a cinematic account of a young girl’s dream, told through the landscape, language and lived experiences of Ladakh.
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