About
Fora Films, a movie production division of Fora Education, is dedicated to using the art of film to advance our mission of a more sustainable and inclusive world (see more of our overall vision here). We are particularly interested in telling stories and sharing lived-experiences from marginalized or under-represented peoples, as well as challenging existing biases and structural inequalities and providing hope and pathways to a better future.
Our speciality is in translating research, advocacy, and development work into an artistic expression that provides public impact. We work with local filmmakers and in the spirit of community collaboration.
Still photo from Dreams of Birds Flying in the Sky (2021), directed by acclaimed Bhutanese filmmaker Arun Bhattarai
Our Films
Silent Walls (2023)
Director: Suraj Bhattarai
Country: Bhutan
Silent Walls is a short narrative film. The life of a 12 year-old Deki, a deaf girl living in rural Bhutan, is thrown into disarray when she experiences her first menstruation. Isolated and without any training in sign language, she is unable to express this unexpected change in her body to her father, Karma. Being a single parent in a remote village in Punakha, Karma finds it increasingly hard to understand and care for his daughter. He is advised by a female acquaintance to keep a closer eye on Deki as she could be targeted by males who might try and take advantage of her situation. Karma becomes paranoid and over-protective of his daughter, locking her up inside the house during his absence. This film is about a deaf young girl whose chance towards a fulfilled life is receding as she becomes increasingly segregated from the outside world. Will Karma – and society at large – practice empathy and compassion to include Deki into the wider community, or will he forever separate Deki from the outside world?
Film Festivals and Awards: Dharamshala Film Festival (Official Selection)
Distribution: TBD
Dreams of Birds Flying in the Sky (2021)
Director: Arun Bhattarai
Country: Bhutan
Dreams of Birds Flying in the Sky is a groundbreaking full-feature documentary that is the first film to feature the lives of persons with disabilities in Bhutan. The experiences of those featured in the film tell the story of the complexities of disabled realities in education, training, entrepreneurship, work, culture, and religion. While many of the stories present a shared experience of being disabled in Bhutan, the differences of urban and rural lives, gender, and abilities are explored. Bhutan may be known as the land of ‘Gross National Happiness,’ but opportunities to realize happiness are tempered by the many challenges that persons with disabilities face. In Bhutan, sometimes the challenge is literally just getting to the top of the first mountain before descending to attempt the next. Despite this, the participants in this film all dream of happiness and of a life of meaning to themselves and their community.
Film Festivals & Awards: Tricycle Film Club (Featured Film), Balaton Film Festival (Official Selection), Druk International Film Festival (Critic’s Choice Award), Kanchenjunga International Film Festival (Best Documentary), Cinematic Spaces of Education Film Festival (Official Selection), The IndieFEST Film Awards (Merit), The Impact DOCS Awards (Merit), Conquering Disabilities With Film International Film Festival (Official Selection)
Distribution: TBD (still in festival consideration)
Do you have a pressing social issue that you wish had more visibility? Do you wish your research and development projects had more public impact? Fora Films is here to support you! We specialize in translating research, advocacy, and development work into an artistic expression that provides public impact. We produce global award-winning films made with community collaboration and local partners, and have expertise in research and development ourselves. Consider hiring Fora Films for your next project, or collaborate with us on your next research proposal!
films@foraed.com
