Snow Leopard Sisters
SNOW LEOPARD SISTERS tells the inspiring story of an unlikely yet powerful friendship between two Indigenous women in one of the most isolated corners of the Himalayas.
The film follows local snow leopard conservationist Tshiring Lhamu Lama as she mentors 17-year-old Tenzin Bhuti Gurung, who is desperate to escape a forced marriage. Together, they journey through the treacherous yet breathtaking landscape of the Himalayas in search of the last remaining endangered snow leopards.
Through intimate verité footage and stunning cinematography, the film highlights the power of women’s voices in conservation, shaping a better future for themselves and the elusive snow leopards.
Producers: Joanna Natasegara, Tshiring Lhamu Lama, Torquil Jones, Ian Davies
Director: Ben Ayers, Sonam Choekyi Lama, Andrew Lynch
Directors of Photography: Sonam Choekyi Lama, Andrew Lynch
Writer: Andrew Lynch, Ben Ayers
Editing: Katie Bryer
Composer: Nainita Desai
SONAM CHOEKYI LAMA - CO-DIRECTOR
Choekyi is a director and cinematographer from the remote region of Dolpo, Nepal, in the Himalayas. In this, her directorial debut, Choekyi’s knowledge of the culture and landscape brings an authentic, raw, and emotional understanding to the screen. In 2024, Choekyi accepted a directorial scholarship to the Documentary Visual School at the International Center of Photography in New York.
BEN AYERS - CO-DIRECTOR
Ben is journalist, writer, National Geographic Explorer and humanitarian based in Nepal for over 20 years. He has been working closely with fellow director Choekyi and producer Tshiring to bring this story to life since 2018. Ben is an award-winning film producer and director. His work includes The Last Honey Hunter (2017), which won 17 international awards including the Cartel Award for Best Documentary at CIFF.
ANDREW LYNCH - CO-DIRECTOR
Andrew is an award-winning producer, cinematographer and director based in London with Noah Media Group. Starting in the high-energy world of live sports, his more recent work as a documentary filmmaker includes the feature documentary Arsène Wenger: Invincible for Amazon Prime & Canal + and the award-winning Amputating Alice for Channel 4.