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Still from Whispers of Thunder

Feature Narratives · Filmmaker Q&A · World Premiere

Whispers of Thunder

Directed by Pema Dorji, Sonam Zangmo, Thinley Wangchuk, Poonam Rai, Ninjyed

Screening at DIFF 2026

Sat31 to Saturday 31 Oct · PictureTime 3
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Runtime
65 min
Year
2026
Country
Bhutan
Language
Dzongkha
Subtitles
English
Premiere
World

Synopsis

Directed by a new generation of filmmakers, Whispers of Thunder is a Bhutanese anthology capturing the quiet rumblings and malaise of youth in the capital city. A man secretly yearns to cross-dress, while a drifting young woman finds herself tangled in indecision. Two roommates go through the rhythms of city life, quietly contemplating a sense of being left behind. Another young woman slips into a fragile psychological landscape where reality and illusion begin to blur, and in the final story, a young vlogger follows a rapper who navigates the absurd frustrations of everyday life.

Directors

Pema Dorji Pema DorjiPema Dorji is an LGBTQI+ advocate who produced Bhutan’s first queer talk show and has directed documentaries on queer lives.Sonam Zangmo Sonam ZangmoDirectorSonam Zangmo is a screenwriter who has worked on several films. Say Cheese is her directorial debut.Thinley Wangchuk Thinley WangchukDirectorThinley Wangchuk has worked in creative development. His previous shorts have won awards at Beskop Tshechu.Poonam Rai Poonam RaiDirectorPoonam Rai is a visual editor whose credits include The Bridge, which premiered at DIFF in 2025. Blur is her directorial debut.Ninjyed NinjyedDirectorNinjyed is an actor with experience in theatre and film. Speed Bumps is his directorial debut.

Cast and crew

Producer
Chand Rai, Dechen Roder
Writer
Pema Dorji, Sonam Zangmo, Thinley Wangchuk, Ninjyed, Poonam Kavita Rai
Cinematographer
Cencho Gyeltshen, Yeshi Dorji, Tashi Tshewang, Kinga Tshering, Pema Dechen
Editor
Dechen Roder, Kinley Dorji Needup Dorj Lalit Gurung, Poonam Kavita Rai, Tshering Dorji
Sound
Devraj Bhaumik
Music
Jimmy Wangyel Tshering
Cast
Sonam Wangchuk, Sonam Lhamo, Yeshey Dorji, Sonam Choeki

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