Remote Ladakh Drama Secures $42,000 to Save Its School

A film set in the remote, high-altitude region of Ladakh secured a grant of 40 lakh rupees, approximately $42,000, to move its production forward. The debut feature, titled Kakthet, was selected from nearly 400 submissions for the inaugural co-production fund run by Humans of Cinema and Safarnaama Pictures. The project is made in the Ladakhi language and centers on a government school whose existence depends on a single, reluctant student.

The narrative follows a group of teachers tasked with saving their school by ensuring one grade 10 student passes an exam, a goal he actively resists. Stenzin Tankyong, the director, has spent eight years creating content that showcases Ladakh’s culture to international audiences. His earlier short films, Sekool and Last Days of Summer, screened at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, and the Dharamshala International Film Festival.

Ritu Sarin and Rajesh Thanickan produce the film alongside French partners at La Belle Affaire Productions. Sarin co-founded White Crane Films and the Dharamshala International Film Festival. Thanickan previously worked on Homebound, which premiered at Cannes in 2025, and Our Share of Sand, which won the Audience Award at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival.

The project had already gained traction before winning this specific grant. It received a Co-Production Features Grant at the 2025 WAVES Film Bazaar and was selected as one of 30 projects for the 2026 Asian Project Market held alongside the Busan International Film Festival. The funding initiative was founded by Harshit Bansal and Nazim Momin, with mentors Vishal Bhardwaj and Shaunak Sen. Sen also serves as executive producer on the winning project.

Harshit Bansal noted that the volume of strong entries demonstrated the need for such initiatives in South Asia. He described Tankyong as an exciting new filmmaker with a distinct voice. Bhardwaj stated that supporting voices from outside the mainstream is essential. Sen praised the script for its use of humor and absurdity while maintaining a sensitive tone.

Tankyong said that independent filmmakers often struggle to secure backing for stories rooted in specific regions and languages. He added that domestic support makes the recognition especially meaningful. The screenplay is currently in its fourth draft.

The team completed a three-week location recce in the Changthang region and Leh in July 2026. They gathered visual and sonic material for a proof-of-concept teaser. Principal cast, crew, and shooting locations are now confirmed. The team is working to secure additional financing and establish co-production ties in Asia, Australia, and Europe.