TENZIN LHAKI | Thimphu
hutan has officially submitted the feature film I, The Song as its entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards, the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) announced Thursday.
The film, directed by Dechen Wangmo Roder, was chosen after careful review and evaluation by the Committee for Selection of Films for International Awards (CSFIA).
The six-member committee assessed submissions against the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ requirements, including artistic quality, storytelling, technical execution, theatrical release, and format.
“I, The Song was ultimately selected for its cinematic merit, cultural authenticity, and international appeal, having fulfilled both the technical and artistic benchmarks set by the Academy,” said an official from BICMA.
The film has already gained recognition abroad, having been screened at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia and the Osaka International Film Festival in Japan.
At home, it won the National Award for Best Film, affirming its impact and artistic strength.
Director Dechen Wangmo Roder said the inspiration for the film was rooted in real experiences within Bhutanese society.
“The ideas for the story of I, The Song came from real life experiences of friends, where they were victim to non-consensual video recordings of intimate encounters. The story was also inspired by what’s happening around us, here in Bhutan, as we struggle between tradition and modernity,” she said.
She said receiving recognition in Bhutan was meaningful for the entire production team.
“We were very excited and felt honored that we had received this ‘seal’ of recognition from our own country. It’s a big honor and boost. With these recognitions we feel more encouraged to continue making films, not only myself, but I think the whole team, cast and crew,” she added.
International recognition has also followed the film since its release.
“It has been great. Winning the Best Director Award in the Critics’ Picks Competition in Tallinn Black Nights was wonderful and I felt blessed that the first festival we premiered the film in we were recognized like this,” Dechen Wangmo said.
She also praised the work of lead actor Tandin Bidha, who won the Yakushi Pearl Award.
“That was truly exciting and almost overwhelming. I was personally very happy that she won this award, since she really gave her everything to the film and the role, and the film would not be what it is without her. She defined the film,” Dechen Wangmo said.
Dechen Wangmo added that audiences both abroad and at home have responded positively.
“The reaction in other festivals and also with our own local audiences has also been wonderful and we are truly warmed and heartened,” she said.
She said that while the story is very local, it has a universal message about identity and loss, and modernity, and exploitation.
“I hope international viewers see our film as more than just an ‘exotic’ location and that the themes and story can resonate on different levels,” she added.
Producing the film was not without challenges, especially financial. Dechen said her film did not find any investors and was entirely is financed by international grants.
She said the process to acquire funds was quite long, and that they had to submit many applications and got many rejections.
“We were quite disheartened sometimes, but we had to keep trying so that we could raise a decent budget. In the end, we were lucky and blessed with the grants and with collaboration from Samuh. So, though it was a long journey, it was worth it,” Dechen added.
Meanwhile, BICMA officials said the submission of I, The Song is a milestone for the Bhutanese film industry.
“The submission of I, The Song to the Academy Awards is a meaningful milestone for Bhutan’s film industry. It demonstrates our continued engagement with the international cinematic community and highlights Bhutan’s evolving presence on the global cultural stage,” the official said.
He noted that domestic and international recognition both played a role in supporting the film’s selection.
“These recognitions, both at home and abroad, reinforced the film’s credibility as a strong contender and ultimately supported its selection as Bhutan’s official submission to the Academy Awards,” the official added.
Although festival acclaim does not guarantee an Oscar nomination, the official said such exposure is vital.
He added that screenings at respected international festivals such as Tallinn and Osaka enhance the film’s visibility and credibility on the global stage.
“Such platforms provide valuable exposure to Academy voters, critics, and distributors, potentially increasing its chances during the Oscar selection process,” he said.
Beyond this year’s submission, BICMA stated that its broader mission is to promote Bhutanese cinema globally.
BICMA is the agency that provides training opportunities, encourages participation in international festivals, and supports collaborations to enhance competitiveness.
“BICMA has been providing grants to encourage production of meaningful art films that can promote Bhutanese cinema on a global stage,” the official said.
The official added that Bhutanese cinema is increasingly positioned as a tool for cultural diplomacy.
“Films provide a compelling and accessible way to communicate Bhutan’s values, traditions, and narratives to the world. As the industry grows, it can contribute significantly to Bhutan’s soft power by fostering cross-cultural understanding, attracting interest in Bhutanese culture and tourism, and building global goodwill through storytelling,” he said.
He added that Bhutanese cinema has come of age, presenting stories with a truly unique approach to filmmaking.
With its recognition at home and abroad, I, The Song now represents Bhutan on one of the world’s most prestigious stages as the country looks ahead to the 98th Academy Awards.
