In winter, the frozen lake in Ladakh, a high-altitude region in the Himalayas, becomes an ice rink where children train for ice hockey. Young Tashi loves the sport more than anything, but her family cannot afford even a pair of skates. As she waits endlessly for her nomadic parents’ return, her grandfather grows older, and her best friend is preparing to move away. Sahil H. Shah completed the film by building trusting relationships with local residents over the years. The unaffected performances of non-professional actors, vivid Ladakhi dialogues, and the appearance of Padma Chorol, a member of the Indian national hockey team, create a strong connection between the film and everyday life in Ladakh. Birds on Ice casts a delicate gaze on the inner world of a girl, quietly navigating dreams, losses, parting, and waiting. Between the place where she will remain and the road ahead, Tashi comes of age over the course of that winter.
Sahil H. Shah began working with images through street photography before moving into filmmaking. His work focuses on observing and documenting the lives of people in everyday settings and lesser-known communities. Bird on Ice is his feature directorial debut.
From Busan International Film Festival 2026, No. 31
