Based on oral histories of lived experience, an eight-year-old boy in a quiet Midwestern town begins to carry the unspoken memories of his grandparents’ forced displacement from Bhutan, as renewed fears of deportation force his family to confront a past they tried to bury.
Type: Fiction
Genre: Drama
Synopsis
In a quiet Midwestern U.S. town, eight-year-old Ishir begins to manifest the suppressed trauma of his grandparents’ exile from Bhutan. Memories of ethnic cleansing, never spoken aloud, surface through the child’s body, dreams, and behavior, unsettling the family’s fragile sense of safety. As inherited memories bleed into everyday life, the family’s American sanctuary starts to unravel. When renewed deportation raids spread fear through their community, silence is no longer a protection. To save Ishir and themselves, three generations must confront their buried past and reclaim their shared strength to survive yet another era of displacement.
Artistic statement
Why Now?After surviving one of the largest forced displacements in modern history, the Bhutanese refugee community in the United States is once again living under the shadow of fear. This community already carries deep, unresolved trauma and one of the highest suicide rates among refugee populations. Recent reports in 2026 reveal dozens deported and hundreds arrested across Midwestern states. For some, forced return to Nepal—the temporary refuge they once fled to survive- has led to devastating outcomes, including suicide. The Snow Is Singing responds urgently to this unfolding humanitarian crisis, examining how generational trauma resurfaces when the threat of statelessness returns. Visual Statement: Drawing on the director’s three decades of theater experience, The Snow Is Singing fuses stagecraft and cinema to create a poetic, immersive language of memory. The film blends gritty realism with moments of abstraction, using symbolic materials, physical gestures, and sensory rhythms to explore how trauma is inherited and embodied. By moving beyond conventional narrative structure, the film externalizes the subconscious weight of migration and identity. Memory becomes physical, space becomes emotional, and the invisible scars of the Lhotshampa diaspora are rendered visible on screen. Key Themes: Family, Child Psychology, Mental Health, and US Immigration
Bimal Subedi
Writer/Director/Producer
Bimal Subedi is a distinguished theatre director, filmmaker, actor, and academician with over 20 years of experience, internationally recognized for his visionary contributions to contemporary theatre and film, including a landmark collaboration with Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Company and the award-winning feature film Dying Candle.
Joes Pandey
Writer/Actor/Producer
Joes Pandey is a prominent figure in Nepali cinema, active since 2010 as an actor, director, and producer, known for his directorial debut Saanghuro (2013) and a focus on culturally rich, socially immersive storytelling.
Samundra Raj Ghimire
Producer
Samundra Raj Ghimire is a filmmaker, photographer, and former journalist whose challenging upbringing in rural Nepal informs his unique artistic vision. He blends avant-garde techniques and magical realism to explore themes of identity, migration, and cultural memory in his acclaimed films and photography. He has directed and written numerous short films and documentaries, including “The Black Side of the River,” “Buttermilk,” and “Forging the Self.” Additionally, he has contributed to two feature films: “The Snow is Singing,” as a producer, and “The World’s Happiest Man,” as an associate art director.
Aakash Khatiwada
Executive Producer/Actor
Aakash Khatiwada is a social worker, human rights advocate, and former Bhutanese refugee whose lived experiences powerfully inform his debut as executive producer and lead actor in The Snow is Singing, a film shaped by his lifelong commitment to justice and storytelling.
Chin-En Gau
Cinematographer
Chin-En Gau is a Taiwan-born writer, director, cinematographer, and educator based in New York City, recognized for his intimate and visually evocative filmmaking style that explores themes of memory, cultural identity, and self-discovery, with his work showcased internationally and his cinematography featured at major festivals like Berlin and Busan.
Dikesh Khadgi Shahi
Sound Designer
Dikesh Khadgi Shahi is a Kathmandu-based sound engineer, sound designer, and filmmaker from Nepal. He is known for his award-winning short films and acclaimed sound work on projects that explore themes of liberation and memory. His sound design on the film “Shambhala” competed for the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, and his work on “LORI” received a Special Mention at Cannes.
Sandeep Shrestha
Editor
Sandeep Shrestha is a Kathmandu/New York-based film editor and educator from Nepal, known for his work on films showcased at major international festivals like Sundance and Rotterdam, and for mentoring emerging filmmakers.
Ayusha Sanjel Chhetri
Chief Assistant Director
Ayusha Sanjel Chhetri is a Queens, NY-based filmmaker from Nepal with an MFA in Documentary Filmmaking, focusing on identity, culture, and social issues, exemplified by her recent work, Chhaupadi: The Impure Girl.
Kedar Upreti
Actor
Kedar Upreti is an actor, director, and producer known for his versatility and work in both the Bhutanese and Nepali film industries. Starting his career in 2000 with the movie “Punarmilan,” he has directed over four dozen music videos and starred in more than 15 films. He has received several accolades, including the Best Director award for the short movie “Karma” in 2018. His notable films include “Jhupadi Ko Jindagi” (2005) and “Tukriyeko Mutu” (2007).
Kaushila Khanal Karmacharya
Executive Producer
Kaushila Khanal Karmacharya is a multifaceted leader—PhD candidate, Taekwondo master, lyricist, choreographer, and devoted mother—whose dedication to academia, the arts, sports, and community service embodies resilience, creativity, and inspiration.
Barsha Raut
Actor
Barsha Raut is a celebrated Nepali actress and model known for her expressive performances in both comedic and dramatic roles. She made her film debut with Nai Nabhannu La 4 (2016) and rose to fame with hits like Jatra, Chhakka Panja, Gopi, and Jatrai Jatra.With multiple acting awards to her name, Barsha has become one of the most popular faces in Nepali cinema. In 2024, she starred in Mahajatra, the latest installment in the Jatra franchise. Off-screen, she is known for her vibrant personality and strong social media presence.
Pooja Chand
Actor
Pooja Chand, also known as Pooja R. Lama, is a celebrated Nepali actress, poet, lyricist, dancer, and community leader whose versatile artistry and dedication have left a lasting impact on both the entertainment industry and the Nepali diaspora.
Ishir Karmacharya
Actor
Ishir Karmacharya was born in Akron, Ohio, to a Nepali immigrant father and a Bhutanese refugee mother. He is being raised by a businessman father and a multi-talented mother who is an entrepreneur, martial arts trainer, dancer, and producer. Ishir drew inspiration for his character in the film from his own life experiences. He is skilled at improvisation and follows the director’s vision with ease.
Jiya Kuikel Khatiwada
Executive Producer
Jiya Kukel Khatiwada is a Bhutan-born citizen who was forced to leave the country due to severe threatsfrom the government at the time. She spent 20 years as a refugee in Nepal before resettling in theUnited States. Deeply connected to her community both socially and culturally, she has made significantcontributions to preserving community values, identity, and advocacy through her active and dynamicinvolvement.
Karun Kuikel
Executive Producer
Born in a refugee camp in Nepal after parents were displaced from Bhutan and now settled in the USA,he has been socially connected to community welfare since childhood. A professional software engineerand young business entrepreneur with higher education in Information Technology, he is now activelyinvolved in cultural activities to educate society and preserve community heritage and archive history.
Manorath Khanal
Executive Producer
Manorath Khanal, President of the Bhutanese Community Association of Akron (BCAA), is a Bhutan-bornA refugee who spent over 20 years in Nepal after being displaced. During his time in refugee camps, heserved in a secretarial role, advocating for community rights and welfare. Now based in Akron, Ohio, hecontinues to dedicate himself to social work, supporting the Bhutanese-Nepali community throughleadership, cultural preservation, and immigrant assistance.