Tibetan Film Season at Kagyu Samye Dzong London in Partnership with Tibet Film Festival London

In Autumn 2025, the Tibet Film Festival London successfully held the fifth edition of their unique Film Festival dedicated to Tibetan cinema. The closing film screened at the historic Rio Cinema in Dalston, Mola: A Tibetan Tale of Love and Loss featured a guided meditation and Q&A with Lama Zangmo. Building on our collaboration, KSDL will be hosting Tibet Film Festival London for a curated weekly series of Tibetan film screenings at KSDL beginning on 21st May.

Founded in 2009, the Tibet Film Festival is a global platform dedicated to showcasing the work of Tibetan filmmakers inside Tibet and throughout the diaspora. This unique festival takes place in Zürich (Switzerland), Dharamsala (India), Berlin (Germany) and London (UK), with plans to expand with festivals in Paris, Washington DC and New York this autumn. Our festivals are coordinated by dedicated teams in each city made up of volunteer curators, producers, translators and editors.

Please join us for this weekly film series for a curated selection of some of Tibet Film Festival London’s favourite films.

Week Four 

11th June: The Diaspora Lens - Double Bill of Short Films starring Pema Shitsetsang

"Royal Café", directed by Tenzin Dazel

2016, FRANCE, SHORT, 39 mins

Dazel, a young Swiss-born Tibetan woman staying in Paris, abandons her humdrum life to pursue her dream of becoming a filmmaker. In the process, she discovers Royal cafe, a small Sri Lankan eatery in the Chapelle area that serves Tibetan food and is frequented by exile Tibetans. As she passes time in the café, looking for inspiration and a cast for her film, Dazel’s life unfolds alongside the desires, disappointments and loneliness of her fellow diners. Royal Café eschews stereotypes of Tibetans living in exile to portray the simple realities of their lives.

"My Sweet Pala",  directed by Tao Okamoto

2025, USA, SHORT, 22 mins

Born to Tibetan refugee parents, eleven-year-old Pema is torn between her father’s efforts to preserve their heritage and her longing to fit into American life. When a troubling event shakes her world, she begins to understand her family’s sacrifices. 

We are delighted that Pema Shitsetsang will be joining us for a Q&A and discussion. The Zurich based professional actress will share her experiences as a Tibetan woman in the Swiss film and television industry.

Please book below for this week's screening. The tickets will go towards covering the cost of licences and permissions to show the films and for travel and so if you are able to offer more than the £10 minimum, this would be much appreciated.

KSDL X TFF London Programme:

21st May: Introduction to Tibet Film Festival London - please book here

28th May: Spotlighting Tibetan Women Filmmakers - please book here

4th June: Enlightened Vision - please book here

11th June: The Diaspora Lens - Double Bill of Short Films starring Pema Shitsetsang - please book below