‘Shape of Momo’ Wins Big at IFFSA Toronto: Tribeny Rai Named Best Director, Gaumaya Gurung Wins Best Actor

GANGTOK,: Tribeny Rai’s debut Nepal film ‘Shape of Momo’ continues its remarkable journey on the international festival circuit, with the Sikkimese filmmaker winning ‘Best Director’ award in the International Feature Film section at the International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto.

‘Shape of Momo’ lead actor Gaumaya Gurung won ‘Best Actor’ award in the International Feature Film section at the International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto. Both awards were announced on October 21.

The double win adds to the growing international recognition of Tribeny Rai’s debut feature, which has established a distinctive presence through its festival screenings and accolades. For the filmmaker from Sikkim, the latest honours reaffirm the resonance of her cinematic vision and the strength of a story rooted in the cultural and social realities of the Eastern Himalayas.

IFFSA Toronto, one of North America’s leading platforms for South Asian cinema, is dedicated to celebrating the diversity of South Asian screen arts and bringing stories from the region to international audiences. Its programme spans films across languages and cultures, creating a space for established and emerging filmmakers to connect with audiences and the wider film industry.

Set in Sikkim, ‘Shape of Momo’ follows Bishnu, a young woman who returns to her ancestral Himalayan village after quitting her job. Through the lives of women across generations, the critically-acclaimed film explores identity, belonging, familial relationships, and the tensions between tradition and personal freedom.

The film was released in select theatres in India and Nepal earlier this year.

Rai’s restrained direction and sensitivity to the rhythms of everyday life have been central to the film’s reception. As reflected in the jury’s appreciation, her filmmaking transforms seemingly ordinary moments into deeply resonant expressions of human experience, allowing silences, gestures and the landscape itself to become integral to the narrative.

Gaumaya Gurung’s ‘Best Actor’ award recognises the emotional depth she brings to the central character. Her performance captures Bishnu’s inner conflicts and her negotiation of personal desires within the expectations of family and community.

With these latest honours at IFFSA Toronto, ‘Shape of Momo’ continues to extend the reach of contemporary Nepali-language cinema from Sikkim, while Tribeny Rai and Gaumaya Gurung add two more international recognitions to the film’s growing list of achievements.

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“We’ve almost reached the final leg of our festival journey, and it’s such a joy to be winning together with Gaumaya. It feels like we’ve come full circle,” – Tribeny Rai