Pawo Choyning Dorji

The son of a diplomat, Dorji grew up in Bhutan, India, Switzerland and Kuwait. He attended Kodaikanal International School during his time in India and Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School back in Bhutan. He graduated with a degree in government from Lawrence University in the United States in 2006. He then completed a qualification in Buddhist philosophy at the Sarah Buddhist Institute in 2009.

As a photographer, Dorji has contributed to publications such as VICE, Esquire, and Life. He has authored a number of photography essay books.{{Cite web|url=http://siyahi.in/authors/pawo-choyning-dorji/|title=Pawo Choyning Dorji|website=Siyahi|access-date=12 February 2022}} His third book Light of the Moon was shot over the course of five years.{{Cite web|url=https://my.rtc.bt/images/pdf/CV_Pawo_Choyning_Dorji_20190823.pdf|title=Curriculum Vitae. Pawo Choyning Dorji|access-date=12 February 2022}}

Dorji, a devout Buddhist, is a student of renowned Buddhist master and filmmaker Khyentse Norbu and discovered filmmaking through working with him, first as director's assistant on Vara: A Blessing (2013) and then as producer of Hema Hema (2016).{{cite web|title=Seeing the Sacred: an Interview with Pawo Choyning Dorji, Producer of Hema Hema: Sing Me A Song While I Wait|url=https://www.buddhistdoor.net/features/seeing-the-sacred-interview-with-pawo-choyning-dorji-producer-of-dzongsar-khyentse-rinpoches-hema-hema|access-date=15 September 2016|work=Buddhist Door Global|archive-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109180651/https://www.buddhistdoor.net/features/seeing-the-sacred-interview-with-pawo-choyning-dorji-producer-of-dzongsar-khyentse-rinpoches-hema-hema|url-status=dead}}

Dorji filmed his feature directorial debut over the course of two months at a remote school in the Himalayan village of Lunana. Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom had its world premiere at the 63rd BFI London Film Festival.{{cite web|title=Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom|url=https://www.easternkicks.com/reviews/lunana-a-yak-in-the-classroom|access-date=16 September 2020|work=Eastern Kicks|first=Andrew|last=Heskins}} The film won Audience Choice and Best of the Fest award at the 2020 Palm Springs International Film Festival.{{cite web|title=Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom wins Audience Choice Award|url=https://www.thewrap.com/lunana-a-yak-in-the-classroom-gay-chorus-deep-south-psiff-audience-awards/|access-date=12 January 2020|work=The Wrap|first=Lawrence|last=Yee|date=12 January 2020 }} It was initially intended to be Bhutan's second submission for Best International Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards,{{cite web|last=Keslassy|first=Elsa|date=15 September 2020|title=Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom Is Bhutan's Second-Ever Oscar Entry (Exclusive)|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/global/lunana-a-yak-in-the-classroom-is-bhutans-second-ever-oscar-entry-exclusive-1234770200/|access-date=15 September 2020|work=Variety}} but due to an error was resubmitted the following year, becoming Bhutan's first Oscar nomination.{{Cite journal|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/global/lunana-yak-in-the-classroom-oscar-campaign-1235159513/|title=Pawo Choyning Dorji, Director of 'Lunana: A Yak in The Classroom,' on Breaking Boundaries for Bhutan Through The Oscars|journal=Variety|first=Elsa|last=Keslassy|date=27 January 2022|access-date=12 February 2022}} Dorji responded saying "The most magical part of this is it was so unexpected... I hope it inspires Bhutanese and Himalayan filmmakers." This was only Bhutan's second overall submission in the history of the Oscars. The Cup, the directorial debut of Dorji's teacher, Khyentse Norbu, was the first Bhutanese submission, in 1999.{{fact|date=January 2025}}

Dorji was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, having been invited to join the academy as part of both the Directors and Writers branch. He eventually joined the Academy as part of the Directors branch.{{cite web|title=Kajol, Suriya among 397 new members of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/entertainment/story/kajol-suriya-among-397-new-members-of-academy-of-motion-picture-arts-and-sciences-339638-2022-06-29|work=Business Today|date=29 June 2022 }}

On 17 December 2022, on the 115th National Day of Bhutan, Dorji was awarded the highest civilian award in Bhutan the Royal Order of Bhutan, the Druk Thuksey, the Heart Son of the Thunder Dragon, by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. A Royal Order bestowed to recognize distinguished service to the Bhutanese nation and people. Dorji became the youngest recipient in the history of Bhutan and the first Bhutanese film maker to be awarded the Druk Thuksey.{{cite web|title=Filmmaker Pawo Choyning Dorji honoured with Druk Thuksey|url=https://kuenselonline.com/filmmaker-pawo-choyning-dorji-honoured-with-druk-thuksey/|access-date=19 December 2022|work=Kuensel Online|first=Chhimi|last=Dema}}

Dorji's second feature film The Monk and the Gun had its world premiere at the 50th Telluride Film Festival.{{cite web|title=The Monk And The Gun' Review/Interview: Bhutan Director Pawo Choyning Dorji's 2nd Film Even Tops The Oscar-Nominated 'Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom' – Telluride Film Festival|url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/the-monk-and-the-gun-review-interview-bhutan-director-pawo-choyning-dorji-telluride-film-festival-1235536208/|access-date=4 September 2023|work=Deadline|first=Pete|last=Hammond|date=4 September 2023 }} The film had its International Premiere at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival as part of the festival's Centrepiece Programme.{{cite web|title=Films Boutique boards latest film from Bhutanese director of Oscar nominated 'Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom' (exclusive)|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/films-boutique-boards-latest-film-from-bhutanese-director-of-oscar-nominated-lunana-a-yak-in-the-classroom-exclusive/5184828.article|access-date=10 August 2023|work=Screen Daily|first=Tim|last=Dams}} Bhutan submitted The Monk and the Gun as Bhutan's official submission for the Best International Feature Film race at the 96th Academy Awards, and it was shortlisted. {{Cite journal|url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/2024-oscar-international-feature-shortlist-movie-1235679936/|title=International Feature Oscar Shortlist: Armenia Marks A First, Bhutan Is Back, 'Godland' Surprises|journal=Deadline|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|date=21 December 2023|access-date=21 December 2023}}

Dorji married Taiwanese actress and producer Fan Yuin "Stephanie" Lai, daughter of playwright Stan Lai, in 2009.{{Cite web|url=https://asianmoviepulse.com/2019/10/interview-with-pawo-choyning-dorji-kelden-lhamo-gurung-sherab-dorji-and-ugyen-norbu-lhendup/|title=Interview with Pawo Choyning Dorji, Kelden Lhamo Gurung, Sherab Dorji and Ugyen Norbu Lhendup|website=Asian Movie Pulse|first=Adriana|last=Rosati|date=18 October 2019|access-date=12 February 2022}}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4436876|title=Film directed by Taiwan playwright's son-in-law shortlisted at 94th Academy Awards|journal=Taiwan News|first=Lyla|last=Liu|date=9 February 2022|access-date=12 February 2022}} They have a daughter and a son. The family split their time between Taiwan, Bhutan, and India.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.screendaily.com/features/the-long-road-to-success-for-lunana-a-yak-in-the-classroom-bhutan-was-not-an-option-on-the-academy-list/5166907.article|title=The long road to success for 'Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom': "Bhutan was not an option on the Academy list"|journal=Screen Daily|first=Silvia|last=Wong|date=26 January 2022|access-date=12 February 2022}}{{subscription required}}{{Cite journal|url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/oscars-international-feature-nominees-lunana-worst-person-in-the-world-hand-of-god-drive-my-car-flee-interviews-1234928671/|title=Oscars: International Feature Nominees' Recognition Continues Beyond Category; Bhutan Debuts & Sorrentino Returns|journal=Deadline|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|date=8 February 2022|access-date=12 February 2022}}

• Seeing Sacred: Lights & Shadows Along the Path
• Turquoise Heart: Bhutanese remembers a Bhutanese (2017)
• The Light of the Moon: The Legacy of Xuanzang of Tang (2019)

• {{Flag|Bhutan}} :
• Royal Order of Bhutan Medal [Druk Thuksey] (17 December 2022).[https://m.facebook.com/100044608501488/ 115th National Day]

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Category:Living people

Category:1983 births

Category:Bhutanese expatriates in India

Category:Bhutanese film directors

Category:Lawrence University alumni

Category:People from Darjeeling