DHARAMSHALA, October 16: The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje reminded exile film enthusiasts of the situation in Tibet and the Tibetans who have risked everything in communicating Tibet’s desperate situation to the outside world through visuals.
Gyalwang Karmapa was speaking at a benefit event held yesterday for the upcoming fourth ‘Tibet Film Festival’ at the Norbulingka Institute in Dharamshala.
Organised by the Swiss-based Filming for Tibet, the Festival is dedicated to imprisoned Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen, who was detained shortly after completing filming on his documentary film ‘Leaving Fear Behind’.
The Festival, which will be held simultaneously in Dharamshala from October 27 to 28 and in Zurich from October 26 to 27 with a similar programme, also aims to support and give platform to young Tibetan filmmakers.
“Films are a good medium to spread awareness on the issue of Tibet to the world and to promote our tradition and culture internationally,” Gyalwang Karmapa said.
“We Tibetans might lack opportunity or financial support but we do not lack in talent,” the 27-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader said while encouraging the new Tibetan filmmakers.
During the event, some entries of last year’s short film competition of the Festival were also screened.
“We are blessed to have His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa with us at this event and his support for the Tibet Film Festival,” Nyima Thondup, coordinator of the Festival said. “Tibet Film Festival expresses its deepest gratitude for your support towards our initiatives and efforts.”
“Tibet Film Festival focuses on films made by Tibetan filmmakers from both Tibet and in exile and supports their work by highlighting them at the festival thereby providing platform to aspiring filmmakers,” he added.
This year, award-winning Tibetan filmmaker Pema Tseden’s ‘Old Dog’ and the premiere of exile Tibetan filmmaker Sonam Tseten’s second directorial venture ‘A Girl from China’ will be featured at the Festival.
Following the “positive response” to its ‘Short Film Competition for Tibetans,’ the Festival will feature this year’s competition on the theme ‘Courage.’
The festival will also offer a forum for panel and public discussions where both the audience and filmmakers will exchange their ideas, organisers said.
