Stenzin Tankyong debut feature film Kakthet wins inaugural INR 40 lakh Humans of Cinema and Safarnaama Pictures co-production fund

The landscape of independent Indian cinema has witnessed a significant development with the announcement of the inaugural INR 40 lakh ($42,000) feature film co-production fund, a collaborative initiative spearheaded by the digital media platform Humans of Cinema and Safarnaama Pictures. The recipient of this debut grant is filmmaker Stenzin Tankyong for his project, Kakthet (Idiot), a Ladakhi-language feature that explores the fragile intersection of education, community survival, and individual agency in the high-altitude reaches of Ladakh.

Selected from an extensive pool of nearly 400 submissions, Kakthet emerged as the winner following a rigorous evaluation process that spanned several months. The project’s victory marks a milestone for regional cinema, reinforcing the importance of localized narratives in an increasingly globalized film market.

The Narrative Core: Education as a High-Stakes Gamble

Kakthet centers on the existential struggle of a government school located in the remote, rugged terrain of Ladakh. The plot hinges on a singular, precarious premise: the survival of the institution depends entirely on a reluctant grade 10 student who has consistently failed his examinations. The film’s tension is derived from the efforts of a dedicated, albeit desperate, teaching staff attempting to orchestrate a turnaround for a student who appears fundamentally determined to resist academic success.

By framing the survival of a public institution through the lens of one individual’s academic failure, Tankyong utilizes the backdrop of Ladakh not merely as a picturesque setting, but as a character in its own right. The screenplay, currently in its fourth draft, is described by executive producer and mentor Shaunak Sen as a work that "mobilizes lightness, absurdity, and humor to tell the story of a slow lamentation underwriting several lives."

A Proven Visionary: Stenzin Tankyong’s Cinematic Journey

Stenzin Tankyong has spent the last eight years cultivating a body of work that focuses on the intersection of Ladakhi culture, geography, and human experience. His transition to feature filmmaking follows a successful tenure in the short film circuit. His previous works, Sekool (2019) and Last Days of Summer (2023), established his credentials on the international stage, with screenings at prestigious venues including the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, and the Dharamshala International Film Festival.

Tankyong’s ability to weave authentic local realities into high-level cinematic form has attracted a seasoned team of collaborators. The project is produced by Ritu Sarin and Rajesh Thanickan, both of whom bring deep industry expertise. Sarin, a veteran of over 30 years, is a co-founder of White Crane Films and the Dharamshala International Film Festival, while Thanickan’s recent production portfolio includes notable successes such as Homebound (executive produced by Martin Scorsese, 2025), Santosh (2024), and the Venice International Film Festival award-winner Our Share of Sand (2026).

Chronology and Industry Momentum

The selection for the Humans of Cinema and Safarnaama fund is the latest in a series of industry validations for Kakthet. The project’s trajectory demonstrates a deliberate path through the global co-production ecosystem:

• 2025: The project secures the Co-Production Features Grant at the WAVES Film Bazaar, signaling strong interest from industry professionals.
• 2026 (Early): Kakthet is selected as one of 30 projects for the prestigious Asian Project Market (APM), held in conjunction with the Busan International Film Festival, further solidifying its international appeal.
• July 2026: The production team completes a comprehensive three-week location recce across the Changthang region and Leh. This phase included rigorous production planning, technical scouting, and the capture of vital visual and sonic material for a proof-of-concept teaser.
• Late 2026/Early 2027: The announcement of the Humans of Cinema and Safarnaama fund win provides the necessary capital to advance the project toward principal photography.

The Mechanism of the Fund: Institutional Support for Independent Voices

The Humans of Cinema and Safarnaama Pictures fund was established by Harshit Bansal, the founder of the popular film curation platform Humans of Cinema, and Nazim Momin, a U.S.-based engineer and producer. The initiative was designed to address a critical gap in the Indian film financing landscape: the lack of accessible, early-stage capital for independent films that do not adhere to commercial "mainstream" templates.

The jury responsible for the final selection represented a cross-section of the Indian independent film movement, including actor Imran Khan, director Arati Kadav, producer Aman Mann (All That Breathes), and festival director Aseem Chhabra.

The mentorship structure of the fund is particularly noteworthy, with celebrated filmmakers Vishal Bhardwaj and Shaunak Sen providing guidance to the winning project. This dual approach—providing both financial resources and creative mentorship—is designed to ensure that the project remains viable while maintaining its artistic integrity.

Strategic Implications for Regional Cinema

The success of Kakthet highlights a broader trend in South Asian cinema: the shifting focus toward "hyper-local" narratives. For years, the Indian film industry has been criticized for its reliance on urban-centric, high-budget productions. However, the success of regional films in global festival circuits has begun to shift the investment calculus.

Industry analysts suggest that the support provided by funds like the HoC x Safarnaama initiative is crucial for regional language films that might otherwise be marginalized. By providing an initial capital injection of INR 40 lakh, the fund allows filmmakers like Tankyong to secure the "proof of concept" material necessary to attract larger, international co-production partners across Asia, Australia, and Europe.

"For independent filmmakers in India, finding support for stories rooted in our own regions, languages, and lived experiences can be challenging," Tankyong noted following the announcement. "The fact that this support comes from within our own country makes this recognition especially meaningful."

Official Perspectives and Future Outlook

The stakeholders behind the fund emphasize that the selection process was highly competitive and revealed a wealth of untapped talent within the country. Harshit Bansal noted that the sheer volume of high-quality submissions underscored the "desperate need" for such initiatives in the South Asian film market.

Vishal Bhardwaj, speaking on the importance of the project, remarked, "Stories like Kakthet remind us why it is important to create opportunities for voices that emerge from outside the mainstream."

For the team behind Kakthet, the next phase is critical. With the primary cast, crew, and location logistics largely in place, the focus has shifted toward securing the remaining financing required for production. The team is actively pursuing co-production agreements that will allow for a robust filming schedule, likely slated for late 2027 or early 2028.

As Kakthet moves from development into the production phase, it stands as a case study for the efficacy of independent, mission-driven film funds. By prioritizing projects that offer a unique cultural perspective, these initiatives are not merely funding individual films; they are building a sustainable infrastructure for the next generation of Indian independent cinema. The industry will be watching closely to see how Tankyong’s vision of the Ladakhi landscape and the "reluctant student" translates to the screen, as it represents a significant, if quiet, departure from the traditional conventions of the Indian box office.