Private Project

DOLMA (an inspiring tale)

Dolma, a determined 18-year-old, returns to her village with a dream of uplifting her community. Despite her father's plans for a fake marriage and US relocation, Dolma, backed by her supportive mother, launches English classes for village women. Despite opposition, she garners support from afar and the village school principal. Her classes empower women to grasp the language. At a village event, the women's English song of gratitude fuels Dolma's commitment. Despite father's persistence, she focuses on nationwide social impact.

  • Pasang Dawa Dawa Sherpa
    Director
  • Pasang Dawa Sherpa
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 28, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    29,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Nepal
  • Country of Filming:
    Nepal
  • Language:
    Nepali
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Pasang Dawa Dawa Sherpa

Pasang Dawa Sherpa is an accomplished independent filmmaker and producer based in Nepal. He earned a bachelor's degree in Screenplay Writing and Film Direction in 2013. His graduation film, "Rattling Fan," received the Audience Choice award and the Best Film Critics award at the Ekadeshma and Sahar International Short Film Festival. He currently serves as a Lecturer at the Nepal Film Campus.

As both a director and producer, Pasang Dawa Sherpa has created several remarkable short films. Among his notable works are "Life Liberation" (2021), "Dream" (2019), and "Cave" (2016). These films have been showcased at prestigious international film festivals, including the London Short Film Festival and, the International Short Film Festival Landau - La.Meko, The International Student Film and Video Festival of Beijing Film Academy, Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival, Ekadeshma, and Nepal America International Film Festival.

Additionally, Pasang Dawa Sherpa has distinguished himself as a skillful editor, with credits including "Bagthan" (2022), screened at Rotterdam, "Junko" (2021), featured at Fribourg and Torino, "Barking Dogs" (2021), which won the Best Experimental Award at Tasveer SAFF and Best Short Film at Pame Film Festival, and "Wings" (2018), the Grand Prize winner of Nespresso Talents.

At present, Pasang Dawa Sherpa is diligently working on his debut feature film project, "A Hidden Tale Behind the Mist." This project has been presented at esteemed international platforms such as the Marché du Film Festival de Cannes Coproduction Days 2021 and NFDC Film Bazaar Co-production Market 2020. Additionally, it has been honored with the IFI-PAS award and secured a spot in the Docskool residency program in 2018. He is also in the process of editing a short film titled "Chhesang- The Untold Story," along with two feature documentaries, namely "A Place Where Rhododendrons Bloom" and "Twelve Seasons."

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Director Statement

Dolma's narrative revolves around a courageous young woman who, despite encountering resistance from patriarchal forces, is dedicated to empowering women within her village. Her aspirations extend to a broader canvas, encompassing multiple Asian countries—a testament to her resolute ambition. Dolma's transformative journey, commencing as a humble village dweller and culminating in national recognition, underscores her intent to foster collaborative ventures across Asian nations.

The film adeptly captures the societal transformation occurring within Dolma's village, as male counterparts acknowledge the untenable repercussions of gender bias. Evident progress is witnessed across various domains within the village. As time elapses, Dolma's impactful initiatives resonate across diverse Nepalese regions, facilitating bespoke progress and meriting acknowledgment from the highest echelons, including the presidency. Nepal's advancement serves as a microcosm of Asia's collective development narrative, seamlessly aligning with the thematic underpinning of "Advancing Asia."

Dolma emerges as an exemplar of a novel cohort of empowered individuals, deftly navigating varied paths to realize their aspirations, impervious to adversities.