Chimi’s Story: a Journey of Self-Discovery
by Sangay Zangmo, Bhutan 2024, 4 min 37 sec
The documentary follows Chimi Dema, a para-athlete who has become a renowned figure and role model for others in the para-athlete community, despite facing significant societal challenges and personal setbacks. It explores her journey from overcoming everyday struggles to gaining international recognition, highlighting her resilience and determination. The film showcases how she broke barriers in a society with limited accessibility, paving the way for future generations of athletes with disabilities and advocating for greater inclusivity in sports.
Director’s Bio
Sangay Zangmo is a 21-year-old final-year student currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication at Royal Thimphu College.
Credits
Sangay Zangmo (Director), Sangay Choden Thinley (Editor), Ugyen Tshering (Music), Sonam Tandin Penjor (Cast), Kinley Sonam Rabsel (Cast)
Dancing Through Judgement
by Kaushila Pokhrel, Bhutan 2024, 5 min 51 sec
Saroj Darjee, a 26-year-old man, may appear intimidating at first glance with his dreadlocks, piercings, and tough exterior. Often labeled a “thug” and wrongly assumed to be involved with drugs, Saroj faces constant judgment from society. However, beneath that surface lies a gentle soul and a passionate dancer who finds peace in movement.
He has won several dance competitions, including the reality show “DARE” hosted by Shangreela, and now serves as a judge in similar events. Despite his success, Saroj continues to struggle with societal pressure and stereotypes. His story reflects how perceptions can change over time—and the ongoing need for acceptance and understanding.
Director’s Bio
Kaushila Pokhrel is 21 years old and currently studying Mass Communication at Royal Thimphu College. She graduated from Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School in 2021. This documentary is her first, created as part of a college project, and it has been an incredible learning experience for her. Passionate about storytelling, she hopes to continue using film to shed light on important issues and inspire change.
Credits
Kaushila Pokhrel (Director), Badal Khatiwara, Saroj Dargee, Tham Kumar Dargee, Bobita Dargee, Kumari Ghalley, Chencho Dem, Upasana Dahal (Faculty Guidance)
Milk & Water
by Kinley Tshering Yangden, Bhutan 2024, 6 min 14 sec
This documentary follows two children: a young monk living a traditional monastic life, and a school-going child influenced by modern life. By comparing their daily routines—starting with their mornings—we highlight subtle yet meaningful contrasts between religious and modern lifestyles through intimate, carefully composed visuals.
The film explores differences in learning, exposure to technology, and cultural influence. In the final scene, the two children meet, revealing how they communicate and express identity. Ultimately, the documentary shows that in Bhutan, tradition and modernity can coexist and adapt together.
Director’s Bio
Kinley Tshering Yangden is a third-year BA Mass Communication student at Royal Thimphu College and an emerging documentary filmmaker. Passionate about visual storytelling rooted in real-life observation, she focuses on capturing subtle social realities with empathy and cultural awareness.
Kinley believes in the power of simple images to tell meaningful stories. She is currently working on a short film for her final project, honing her skills in direction and narrative while exploring the intersection of tradition and modernity in Bhutanese life.
Credits
Kinley Tshering Yangden (Director), Sangay Choden Thinley (Editor), Ugyen Tshering (Music), Sonam Tandin Penjor (Cast), Kinley Sonam Rabsel (Cast), Simtokha Buddhist Institute, Jigme Losel Primary School, Upasana Dahal, Nitihil Dennis, Sonam Tandin Penjor’s Family, Kinley Sonam Rabsel’s Family, Royal Thimphu College
Paro FC: a Shared Dream
by Suraj Bhattarai, Bhutan 2025, 31 min 54 sec
A small rice-farming town community rallies behind its new but steadfastly growing football club—one determined to make history while paving the way for the next generation in the young Himalayan footballing nation of Bhutan.
Director’s Bio
Suraj Bhattarai a graduate from Doc Nomads, a joint Masters in Documentary Film Directing from 3 different universities in Lisbon, Budapest and Brussels. His graduation film, Boy from the Dreams, won the best documentary award at Beskop Tshechu. His fiction film Silent Walls won the best film in Kingdom of Bhutan International film festival, 2024 and was the ‘closing film’ of Beskop Tshechu 2024. He is an editing alumnus of the prestigious BAFA film academy in Busan, Korea. He has directed, filmed (cinematography) and edited several short documentary films which have been screened at major international film festivals like the Kassel Dokfest, Busan International Film Festival and Dharamshala International film festival. He is the associate producer of the critically acclaimed feature length documentary project, Agent of Happiness, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Credits
Suraj Bhattarai (Director), Samuh, Paro FC (Producers), Karma Jigme, Nyema Zam (Executive Producer), Thinley Wangchuk (Project Coordinator), Suraj Bhattarai, Sonam Phuntsho (Cinematographer), Kelzang Dorjee (Additional Camera), Suraj Bhattarai (Sound, Color and Editor)
Soccer Girl
by Tandin Wangmo, Bhutan 2024, 5 min
Sonam’s rise from a disadvantaged background to the national football team represents not only her personal achievement but also a powerful statement of women’s empowerment in sports. Growing up in an area with few resources and facing gender stereotypes, she battled societal norms to pursue her love for football. Throughout her journey, Sonam encountered the stark disparity in support between men’s and women’s teams, with women struggling for basic training needs while men received ample resources and attention. Despite these challenges, Sonam remained determined, using her success as a platform to advocate for gender equality in sports. Her story is a testament to the idea that gender should never hinder dreams, proving that women deserve the same opportunities and respect as men in any field.
Director’s Bio
Tandin Wangmo is a young filmmaker and a third-year BA Mass Communication student at Royal Thimphu College. With a passion for visual storytelling rooted in real-life observation, Tandin focuses on capturing subtle social themes through a thoughtful and reflective lens.
Tandin’s storytelling is marked by her attention to small, often overlooked details that speak volumes about identity, culture, and social change. She believes in letting simple moments tell powerful stories, guided by empathy and a deep sense of cultural awareness.
Credits
Tandin Wangmo (Director), Ugyen Choden (Scriptwriter), Ugyen Choden (Cinematography), Tandin Wangmo (Sound), Ugyen Choden (Editor), UTee present (Production company), Ugyen Choden (Producer), Sonam Choden (Cast), Jigme ( Coach), Deki Lhazin ( RTC Team Captain)
Thomchi Yongba – the Village Cobbler
by Pelden Dorji, Bhutan 2024/2025, 5 min
This short documentary is made in the style of multimedia poetry, and tells the story of a village man born with speech and hearing impairments who unexpectedly becomes a skilled shoe repair expert. The only cobbler in the village. Yet, his life is far from isolated. With a quiet grace, he walks beside his community, offering help in times of need and mending not just shoes, but spirits. He asks for nothing, smiles through everything, and carries dignity without uttering a single word. In a world often too loud to notice such lives, could Thomchi be the happiest man on earth?
Director’s Bio
Pelden Dorji, popularly known as Ata Pelden, is a pioneer of Bhutanese cinema and a recipient of the Civil Service Award from His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo in 1993, recognizing his excellence in filmmaking. He is the founder of the Film Association of Bhutan and served as a consultant during the establishment of Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS).
With formal training in Japan, India, and Thailand, Ata Pelden’s career spans over four decades, during which he has nurtured more than 60% of Bhutanese filmmakers through direct collaboration or mentorship. He has been honored with several national and international awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
Credits
Pelden Dorji (Director), Tenzin Seylden Doji (Recited by), K.B Lama (Poem edited by), Ata Yeshi (Music)
TRANSparency
by Tenzin Tsheyang, Bhutan 2024, 7 min 15 sec
“Is Bhutan truly inclusive?” The documentary follows Ugyen Yangchen Lhamo, one of the first trans women in Bhutan. She shares her story of a supportive mother, her ongoing journey of transition, and Bhutan’s legality of changing gender, in a candid conversation while doing her makeup as she gets ready to embark for Pride month where she celebrates herself, her friendships and identity. The film poses the critical question: Is Bhutan truly an inclusive society? With Ugyen’s experiences and the broader societal attitudes towards gender identity, the documentary explores themes of identity, belonging, and societal acceptance.
Director’s Bio
Tenzin Tsheyang is a Mass Communication student still exploring what film means to her. She is drawn more to visuals than words, which is what continually draws her to cinema. Through filmmaking, she hopes to better understand both herself and the world around her. This is her first time participating in the Beskop Festival, and she’s excited to share her work and connect with others in the creative community. Thinley Reychung Wangchuk, known to many as Rey, is currently studying Communication Arts at Royal Thimphu College. Through filmmaking, Rey hopes to shine “reys” of light on the Queer Agenda, using their voice and vision to bring visibility to underrepresented stories. As a queer individual, Rey has long yearned for representation—and now, having the opportunity to create it firsthand is both empowering and deeply meaningful. Rey expresses gratitude to the Beskop Festival for the chance to represent both their identity and their community on this platform.
Credits
Tenzin Tsheyang (Director), Thinley Reychung Wangchuk (Co-Director), Thinley Reychung Wangchuk (Producer), Thinley Reychung Wangchuk (Editor), Tenzin Tsheyang (Cinematographer), Thinley Reychung Wangchuk (Sound), Ugyen Yangchen Lhamo (Cast)
