Stenzin Tankyong’s debut feature film Kakthet wins the inaugural Humans of Cinema and Safarnaama Pictures co-production fund

The landscape of Indian independent cinema has received a significant boost with the announcement of the inaugural winner of the Humans of Cinema and Safarnaama Pictures feature film co-production fund. Stenzin Tankyong, a filmmaker whose work has long focused on the high-altitude, culturally distinct region of Ladakh, has been awarded the INR 40 lakh ($42,000) grant for his debut feature project, Kakthet (Idiot). Selected from a competitive pool of nearly 400 entries, the project was chosen for its distinct voice, narrative depth, and its potential to bridge the gap between regional storytelling and global audiences.

The initiative, launched by Humans of Cinema founder Harshit Bansal and Safarnaama Pictures founder Nazim Momin, serves as a strategic intervention in a sector often plagued by limited financial access. By providing not only capital but also mentorship from industry stalwarts like Vishal Bhardwaj and Shaunak Sen, the fund aims to foster a sustainable ecosystem for filmmakers operating outside the traditional, commercially driven mainstream production models.

The Narrative Core of Kakthet

At the heart of the award-winning project is a story rooted in the precarious realities of contemporary Ladakh. Kakthet centers on the plight of a government school facing an existential threat. The institution’s survival is tethered to a single, reluctant tenth-grade student who has consistently failed his examinations. The film follows the desperate efforts of his teachers, who must navigate the absurdity and humor of the situation to save both the student—who is determined to remain un-saved—and the school itself.

The project is described by executive producer Shaunak Sen as a "slow lamentation" that utilizes absurdity to explore deeper themes of community and education. By focusing on the interplay between the protagonist, Singay, and his surrounding community, Tankyong aims to provide a nuanced portrait of a region that is often flattened by external narratives. The screenplay, currently in its fourth draft, avoids moral judgment, opting instead for a sensitive, observational approach that highlights the resilience and internal contradictions of life in the Changthang region.

A Proven Track Record for Stenzin Tankyong

Stenzin Tankyong is not a newcomer to the festival circuit. Over the past eight years, his work has consistently earned recognition for its visual storytelling and ethnographic depth. His short films Sekool (2019) and Last Days of Summer (2023) have served as thematic precursors to Kakthet, demonstrating his ability to handle subjects of migration, climate change, and cultural preservation. These works have appeared at prestigious global forums, including the International Film Festival Rotterdam and the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, establishing Tankyong as a filmmaker with an established international footprint.

Production Pedigree and Global Ambitions

The production team behind Kakthet brings together a wealth of experience, balancing regional focus with global distribution expertise. The film is produced by Ritu Sarin and Rajesh Thanickan, in collaboration with French co-producers La Belle Affaire Productions.

Ritu Sarin, a veteran filmmaker with over three decades of experience, is a co-founder of White Crane Films and the Dharamshala International Film Festival. Her involvement, alongside Rajesh Thanickan, provides the project with a robust administrative and creative backbone. Thanickan’s recent portfolio includes critically acclaimed works such as Homebound (executive produced by Martin Scorsese), the Cannes-premiered Santosh, and the Venice-winning Our Share of Sand. This collective experience ensures that Kakthet is positioned for both artistic integrity and high-level international market penetration.

Chronology of Recognition

Kakthet did not emerge into the spotlight overnight. The project has undergone a rigorous process of validation within the industry:

• 2025 (WAVES Film Bazaar): The project was awarded the Co-Production Features Grant, signaling its high potential for international collaboration.
• 2026 (Busan International Film Festival): It was selected as one of 30 projects for the prestigious Asian Project Market, exposing it to potential financiers and distributors from across the continent.
• July 2026: The production team completed a three-week, on-location recce across the Changthang region and Leh. This phase was crucial for visual and sonic mapping, as well as the creation of a proof-of-concept teaser.
• Late 2026: The project was awarded the inaugural Humans of Cinema x Safarnaama Pictures Co-Production Fund, providing the necessary liquidity to move toward principal photography.

The Jury and Mentorship Structure

The selection process was managed by a distinguished panel of industry experts, including actor Imran Khan, filmmaker Arati Kadav, producer Aman Mann, and festival director Aseem Chhabra. The involvement of such a diverse jury reflects the fund’s commitment to prioritizing artistic merit and narrative originality over genre conventions.

The mentorship aspect of the fund is particularly notable. Vishal Bhardwaj, whose own work is renowned for its regional specificity and psychological depth, has underscored the necessity of supporting "voices from outside the mainstream." Shaunak Sen, who gained global acclaim for his documentary All That Breathes, will serve as an executive producer, providing ongoing guidance as the project enters its final pre-production stages.

Implications for the Indian Independent Film Sector

The emergence of the Humans of Cinema x Safarnaama Pictures fund highlights a critical shift in the Indian film industry. Historically, regional filmmakers—particularly those from the Himalayan belt—have faced significant barriers in securing funding that does not necessitate the dilution of their narrative vision. By creating a dedicated pipeline for such projects, the fund addresses a systemic void.

The financial support, while significant in terms of initial production, also serves as a stamp of approval that facilitates further co-production agreements. As the team moves forward with plans to secure financing from markets in Australia, Asia, and Europe, the backing of this fund provides the requisite credibility to negotiate with international partners.

Furthermore, the initiative highlights the growing importance of "community-based" funding. Harshit Bansal, the founder of Humans of Cinema, noted that the high volume of high-quality entries—nearly 400—points to an urgent, unmet demand for such platforms in South Asia. This suggests that the current model of independent film financing in India is ripe for a transition toward decentralized, curator-led funding models that prioritize regional authenticity.

Future Outlook

With the location scouting and production planning for Kakthet largely complete, the team is currently in the process of finalizing the principal cast and crew. The focus for the remainder of the year will be on scaling the budget through strategic co-production alliances.

For Stenzin Tankyong, the support is more than a financial windfall; it is a validation of the importance of Ladakhi stories in the national and global consciousness. As Tankyong noted in his acceptance statement, finding support for stories rooted in lived experiences that deviate from metropolitan narratives remains a challenge. The success of Kakthet signals a potential turning point for filmmakers who have, until now, operated on the periphery of the Indian film industry. As the project advances, it serves as a beacon for the viability of independent, language-specific cinema in an increasingly homogenized global market.