Ladakhi film 'Birds on Ice' set for Busan premiere, poster unveiled in Leh
The official poster of Ladakhi feature film "Birds on Ice" was unveiled here on Sunday, ahead of its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea next month.
Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra unveiled the poster and congratulated director-producer Sahil H Shah and the film's cast and crew for taking a story rooted in the Union Territory's ice-hockey culture to an international platform.
"Birds on Ice" has been selected for the "A Window on Asian Cinema" section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival and will have its world premiere in Busan in October.
Kundra said the film would showcase Ladakh's sporting spirit, local talent and distinctive winter landscape to audiences beyond the region.
He also expressed hope that the film would help highlight Ladakh's growing passion for ice hockey and its potential as a destination for winter sports and creative storytelling.
Directed and produced by Shah, "Birds on Ice" explores ice hockey in Ladakh through a coming-of-age story. It features Indian national ice-hockey player Padma Chorol in her acting debut.
Chorol plays Paami, an ice-hockey coach and national-team player whose experiences are closely linked to the film's portrayal of the sport and the aspirations surrounding it in Ladakh.
Shah spoke about the making of the film and the challenges of shooting in Ladakh's harsh winter conditions, including working in sub-zero temperatures.
The film was shot over two months in winter and features a predominantly Ladakhi cast and crew.
Its selection at Busan marks a significant moment for Ladakhi-language cinema, offering an international audience an opportunity to experience the region's sporting culture, landscape and local voices through film.
The 31st Busan International Film Festival is scheduled to be held from October 6 to October 15 in Busan, South Korea.
