Private Project

The Crystal Shining Seeds

The Tibetan script has existed for thousands of years since its creation. Throughout this long history, the Tibetan people have made many amendments and revisions to it, eventually forming their own standardised form of writing. Currently, Tibetan teachers and students have been working to promote Tibetan writing and Tibetan calligraphy by preserving and passing on their traditional culture through calligraphy competitions, fun teaching and other ways.
As electronic products enter millions of homes, the pens held in the hands of children in the snowy plateau have become cell phones and tablet computers, and tradition is gradually lost. We are obliged to do our best to protect the Tibetan script and tell the world that Tibetan culture is alive and well.

  • Dorje Lhundrup
    Director
  • Dorje Lhundrup
    Writer
  • XI HE
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Culture
  • Runtime:
    41 minutes 17 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 20, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    100,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    China
  • Country of Filming:
    China
  • Language:
    Chinese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Dorje Lhundrup

Dorje Lhundrup, born in 1980 in Tibet, worked as an editor and reporter at the News Department of Shenzhen Shekou TV Station from 2015 to 2020, earning multiple Guangdong and Shenzhen News Awards. Since 2020, he has focused on creating documentaries about Tibetan culture. His 2023 documentary *The Crystal Shining Seeds* was selected for the 5th China Ethnographic Documentary Academic Exhibition and is permanently housed in the National Library of China and the Chinese National Museum of Ethnology. The documentary was also showcased in the “Golden Kapok Screening” section of the 2024 China (Guangzhou) International Documentary Film Festival.

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Director Statement

The Tibetan script, with its rich history spanning thousands of years, is more than just a writing system—it is a symbol of Tibetan culture and identity. In recent years, I have been deeply moved by the efforts of teachers, students, and communities on the Tibetan Plateau to preserve this ancient tradition through calligraphy competitions, creative teaching methods, and other initiatives.

However, as electronic devices become ubiquitous in our daily lives, I have also witnessed the gradual decline of traditional practices. The pens once held by children are being replaced by cell phones and tablets, creating a pressing need to safeguard Tibetan script from fading into obscurity.

Through this documentary, I hope to capture the beauty, resilience, and cultural significance of Tibetan calligraphy. My goal is not only to highlight the efforts of those working to keep this tradition alive but also to share with the world that Tibetan culture remains vibrant and relevant in our modern era.

This film is my tribute to the guardians of Tibetan script, and a call to action for all of us to cherish and protect this invaluable heritage.