June 20, 2025
THIMPHU – In a quiet yet powerful culmination, 35 young Bhutanese creatives came together to screen their short films at the closing event of “Art for People” programme, a two-week filmmaking course.
Organised by Bhutanese filmmaker, Chand RC, participants learned, collaborated, and created six short films, each one distinct in narrative, during the 10-day course.
Chand RC said that “Art for People” began as a humble personal initiative over a decade ago. “Passion always begins in dreams, and in dreams begins responsibility,” he said.
His vision was to offer young people, especially those from smaller towns, an inclusive platform to find their voice through storytelling. “If we don’t tell our stories, someone else will,” he said. “And in losing our stories, we risk losing who we are.”
Among the voices that stood out during the event was that of Nyinjed, who focused on script writing and directing. “I had very little expectations,” he said, “Not because I thought it wouldn’t be good, but because I didn’t know what to expect.”
What unfolded was a hands-on, immersive experience that broke away from the usual sit-and-listen format of many workshops. “It was everything for the art itself,” added Nyinjed. “We weren’t just taking notes; we were writing, directing, acting, and editing. It was all real.”
Pem Dechen, who had no prior experience in cinematography, said that she learnt so much within two days of both theory and practical training. “I’m very happy I was able to apply it,” she said.
The process was fast-paced and pressured, but it was exactly this intensity that left a lasting impact. “Whatever we learnt, we had to use it—write, shoot, edit, and present—all in a few days. It stays with you that way,” she said.
For production designer Pem Lham, the experience brought back the energy and chaos of university days. “It was like going back to college—last-minute assignments, the creative rush, the late-night shoots,” she said.
But more than nostalgia, she found herself among a room full of untapped talent. “We were all so different, but creating something together in ten days. It was just amazing.”
Six films were screened during the closing event of the programme.
“My film wasn’t about how beautiful or clean Bhutan is,” Nyinjed explained. “It was about the human experience—what it’s really like to live here. Not just the happy side, but the real one.”
The creative environment fostered an energy that rarely surfaces in traditional academic spaces. “Nobody wanted to sleep or eat—we just wanted to get our visions made,” Nyinjed said. “The commitment from everyone was unbelievable.”
The group dynamic pushed each participant to bring their best, and the process itself became a masterclass in collaboration. “It’s very difficult to bring all creatives into one room,” Pem Lham said. “We’re usually in our own worlds. But here, in this setting, we got to work as one.”
Threwang, who joined to study acting, didn’t expect to be part of a full film production. “We thought we’d just be taking classes, not actually making a film in two weeks,” he said.
The experience revealed a new way of seeing for him. “Now I see art in even the simplest things.”
The presence of experienced mentors from Bhutan and India made a significant impact. They worked side by side with participants, offering practical advice, creative feedback, and professional insight.
“It felt like a real production house,” Nyinjed said. “You’d bring your story, and the tools, the mentors, the gear—they were all there. All you had to do was commit.”
For a country where the creative industries still face structural challenges, this kind of exposure is rare, and vital. There was also a larger conversation at play.
Nyinjed said there is a need to break away from narratives of exoticism or national branding. “It’s not that Bhutan has something special because it’s Bhutan,” Nyinjed said. “But every human being with a story can make a difference. It’s not about showing the exotic. It’s about telling something truthful.”
He believes that Bhutanese creatives don’t need to fit into expected roles to be relevant globally. “Art isn’t about borders. It’s about connection.”
Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) and Druk Air supported the course.