From frozen rinks to global screen: Ladakh film heads to Busan

Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, today unveiled the official poster of the Ladakhi feature film Birds on Ice at PVR Leh. The film, directed by filmmaker Sahil H. Shah, has been selected for the ‘A Window on Asian Cinema’ section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival and is set to have its world premiere in Busan, South Korea, in October 2026.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Secretary congratulated the producer, director, cast and crew of Birds on Ice for bringing a story rooted in Ladakh and its ice-hockey culture to an international platform. He appreciated the team’s efforts in showcasing Ladakh’s sporting spirit, local talent and unique winter landscape through cinema, and extended his best wishes to the entire team for the film’s screening at the Busan International Film Festival. He expressed hope that the film would further contribute to highlighting Ladakh’s growing passion for ice hockey and its potential as a destination for winter sports and creative storytelling.

The event was attended by DGP, UT Ladakh, Anand Jain; Secretary, Education/Youth Services & Sports, Bhanu Prabha; Secretary, Tourism, Sanjeet Rodrigues; former Chief Executive Councillor, Tashi Gyalson; BJP UT President Tashi Khachu; senior officers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP); and other guests, along with members of the film’s cast and crew.

Speaking on the occasion, producer and director Sahil H. Shah shared the journey behind the making of Birds on Ice and the challenges involved in filming in Ladakh’s harsh winter conditions. He spoke about the experience of working through sub-zero temperatures and the dedication of the cast and crew in bringing the story to the screen. The film was shot over two months in Ladakh in demanding winter conditions and features a predominantly Ladakhi cast and crew.

Birds on Ice explores the world of ice hockey in Ladakh through a coming-of-age story and features Indian national ice-hockey player Padma Chorol in her acting debut. Chorol plays Paami, an ice-hockey coach and national-team player whose experiences are closely connected to the film’s portrayal of the sport and its aspirations in Ladakh.

The selection of Birds on Ice for Busan marks an important international platform for Ladakhi-language cinema, with the film set to introduce Ladakh’s sporting culture, landscape and local voices to audiences from across the world. The 31st Busan International Film Festival is scheduled to be held from October 6 to 15, 2026, in Busan, South Korea.