A documentary highlighting an extraordinary friendship and conservation journey in Nepal’s remote Dolpo region premiered Wednesday evening at Labim Mall, Lalitpur, drawing a notable numbers of both Nepali and international audiences.
The film tells the inspiring story of two Indigenous women from one of the Himalaya’s most isolated regions.
It follows local snow leopard conservationist Chhiring Lhamu Lama as she mentors 17-year-old Tenzin Bhuti Gurung.
Together, they traverse the rugged yet breathtaking Himalayan landscape in search of the rare and endangered snow leopard.
Directed by Sonam Choki Lama, Ben Ayers, and Andrew Lynch, the documentary emphasizes the power of women’s voices in conservation.
It portrays how their efforts are helping build a better future for snow leopards while fostering coexistence with local communities.
The film has also directly contributed to conservation outcomes in Dolpo, encouraging initiatives that have increased snow leopard populations and helped end retaliatory killings by herders.
A practical action plan developed alongside the film introduces innovative, non-violent techniques to protect livestock, linking local livelihoods with wildlife conservation.
The project began when Nepali photographer Sonam Chokyi Lama started documenting snow leopard conservation efforts in her remote homeland alongside her sister, Chhiring Lhamu Lama.
This later evolved into her debut documentary. The project expanded into a global collaboration with award-winning filmmakers Ben Ayers and Andrew Lynch, forming a diverse team spanning three continents.
The story is written by Ayers and Lynch. The film is produced by Ian Davies, Torkil Jones, Joanna Natasegara, and Chhiring Lhamu Lama. Cinematography is handled by Sonam Chokyi Lama, Andrew Lynch, and Rush Sturges, with editing by Katie Bryer.
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Joanna Natasegara and renowned Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio serve as executive producers.
The documentary has already won more than a dozen awards at international film festivals, further underscoring its global impact and significance.
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