Bhutan has officially chosen ‘I, The Song,’ directed by Dechen Roder, as its Oscar entry for the international feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards. This decision marks another milestone for the Himalayan nation’s growing cinematic voice, as the small country continues to showcase its artistic talent on the global stage. The film’s success at Bhutan’s National Film Awards earlier this year—where it won nearly every major category, including best film, director, screenplay, and acting honors—has solidified its place as a rising star in Bhutanese filmmaking.
The story follows a school teacher who embarks on a journey to the southern reaches of Bhutan in search of her doppelganger, driven by a desire to save her job and reputation. As she becomes entangled in her lookalike’s life, she discovers that she may be the only one capable of unraveling the mystery of her missing double and recovering a stolen sacred song. The film’s world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, where Roder was awarded Best Director, and its Asia premiere at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa underscore its global appeal. The cast includes Tandin Bidha, Jimmie Wangyal Tshering, Tshering Dorji, Sonam Lhamo, and Dorji Wangdi, bringing a diverse array of talents to the screen.
This selection represents Bhutan’s fourth official Oscar submission since the kingdom joined the Academy in 1999. Previous entries include “The Cup” (1999), “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” (2020), and “The Monk and The Gun” (2023). “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” became Bhutan’s first film to earn an Oscar nomination. The choice was made by a committee led by BICMA (Bhutan Information and Communications Media Authority), the country’s primary film support agency. While the Oscar submission process itself was newly established in Bhutan, the nation’s cinematic history dates back to the 1960s, with early films like “The Cup” and “Lunana” gaining recognition in international markets.
Roder expressed excitement about the recognition, stating, ‘We’re super thrilled to be given this show of support from the committee. Of course our Oscars journey likely peaks here, since we have zero budget for campaigns or anything now. Still we are honored and thrilled with the seal of recognition from our own country.’ The film also received international funding from organizations like Visions sud est, MPA APSA Film Fund, Sorfond, WCF Europe, CNC ACM, Ciclic, and Mibac. Produced by Roder for Dakinny Productions (Bhutan) and Johann Chapelan for Girelle Production (France), the film features multiple international co-producers from Norway, Taiwan, Italy, and France, alongside Bhutan’s first streaming platform, Samuh. Production was entirely self-funded, with no executive producers or equity investors.
Award-winning filmmaker Arun Bhattarai, who served on the selection committee, praised the choice: ‘‘I, The Song’ touched me in a personal way. Dechen has a gift for blending the real and the mysterious, and through that she tells a story that feels deeply Bhutanese.’ Fellow committee member Thaye Lam Tshering added: ‘This film touches on a very current state of our world—how the digital age reshapes reality. It also showcases Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage.’ Producer Johann Chapelan remarked: ‘Today, as women’s rights and fundamental human freedoms face erosion due to rising conservatism and bellicism worldwide, this film stands as a reminder of cinema’s power to affirm human dignity.’
Roder hopes the recognition will inspire Bhutan’s film community: ‘I hope this recognition gives our own filmmakers a small push of encouragement and inspiration and also creates a small visibility in the global landscape for Bhutanese art/independent films.’ Diversion is handling international sales for the film.
The Oscar international feature shortlist will be announced on December 16, with the final five nominees revealed on January 22.
