Chinese Mainland Film Panorama 2026: "Linka Linka"

Director & Screenwriter: Kangdrun Cinematographers: Li Siwei, Tashi Numjia Cast: Tsekyi Metok, Tsering Yangkyi, Deqen Banzom, Tangsang Lhamo Produced by Tibetan Antelope Films, Lhasa Longda Culture Communication, Tibetan Yiweng Culture Communication 2025 | Colour | 100′ In Putonghua and Tibetan with Chinese and English subtitles Short Film after the Feature Firebird Award Young Cinema Competition (Chinese Language), The 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival When we think of Tibetan films, we usually imagine nomads, prayer flags, and pilgrims. Lhasa-born director Kangdrun takes a different path, filming young people in modern Lhasa to give us a fresh look at the city. The film tells the story of a Beijing-based director returns to her hometown of Lhasa to make a film about her childhood, but a late-night chat with an old friend changes her memories. As she struggles with her work, she must also reconcile with her distant father. The 16-minute short Lonely Summer focuses on a single gathering and the quiet romance during a linka (Tibetan language of picnic). The feature expands the story over “three summers”, showing how relationships slowly change over three years and how life transforms everyone involved.