Young Tibetan actor nominated for best actor at Queens World Film Festival

By Lobsang Tenchoe

DHARAMSALA, March 8: A Tibetan actor has been shortlisted for the best male actor in narrative feature in the 7th Queens World Film Festival.

Shavo Dorjee, the lead actor of the Tibetan film titled ‘Pawo’ (Eng: martyr) is in the run for the best male actor at the 7th Queens World Film Festival scheduled to be held from March 14 – 19.

17204215_1446612378716501_728036961_nWith his nomination for the best male actor in narrative feature, the young Tibetan actor has become the first ever Tibetan to be shortlisted for the acclamation.  Pawo, the film directed by Marvin Litwak & Sonam Tseten, is also in the run for the Best Cinematography Narrative Short and Best Narrative Feature.

“Our wonderful main actor Shavo Dorjee got his first nomination as BEST MALE ACTOR at this year’s Queens World Film in New York!!! Congratulations! More than deserved and thank you for being part of this movie with your full mind and heart,” Sonam Tsetan said on his Facebook post.

The film based on the life story of Jamphel Yeshi, who self-immolated on March 26, 2012 to protest against China’s continued rule in Tibet and draw global attention to the issue of Tibet, was made by a Tibetan-German crew featuring all Tibetan actors and JJI Exile Brothers, the Dharamsala-based Tibetan rock band co-engineered the film’s music.

Pawo was screened and shortlisted by numerous international film festivals. Last June, the film bagged Platinum Award – Cinematography (Amin Oussar, Cinematographer), Gold Award – Original Score (Sebastian Heinrich & JJI Exile Brothers & Co) and Gold Award – Narrative Feature at the 2016 International Independent Film Awards.