KUNDUN Screening with Martin Scorsese Honours His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at Tribeca Film Festival.
New York: On 6 June 2025, a special screening of the Tibet-related film KUNDUN was screened at SVA Theatre 1 in New York as part of the annual Tribeca Film Festival, a highly anticipated cinematic event that takes place every spring in New York City.
Acclaimed filmmaker director Martin Scorsese, who directed KUNDUN, attended the screening and addressed the audience of approximately 480 attendees. He extended heartfelt birthday wishes to His Holiness on his 90th birthday and recalled how “KUNDUN” had transformed his life, moving the audience with his heartfelt recollections.
Distinguished guests in attendance included family members of the late screenwriter Melissa Mathison, Jigme Gere (son of actor Richard Gere), cast member Michael Imperioli, cinematographer Lisa Rinzler, editor Thelma Schoonmaker, and several Tibetan actors in KUNDUN.
Former Kalon Tripa Tenzin Namgyal Tethong, Founder of Danang Foundation, Lama Tsewang Rinpoche, Director of Shi-De Kunkyabling (Centre for Universal Peace), Geshe Tashi Dorjee, former Justice Commissioner Ngawang Rabgyal, and former Representative Rinchen Dharlo also attended the film screening as guests.
The entrance of the theatre was adorned with photographs of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetan prayer flags, five-offering displays, Tibetan and American flags, Che-mar, traditional Tibetan music, and biographical exhibits, creating an auspicious and festive atmosphere to honour the special occasion.
The screening of KUNDUN and tribute celebration honouring His Holiness was jointly organised by the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), based in Washington D.C., and the Office of Tibet, North America, with support from the Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey. This year’s festival runs from 4 to 15 June, with the screening of KUNDUN being one of its highlighted features.
Tenchoe Gyatso, President of the ICT, noted that in keeping with the Kashag’s recent designation of July 2025 to July 2026 as the international “Year of Compassion” to commemorate His Holiness’s 90th birthday, the screening aimed to introduce His Holiness’s message of compassion to international audiences through the film KUNDUN.
The ICT and Office of Tibet, North America jointly organised the event, KUNDUN, with Martin Scorsese event to introduce His Holiness’s message of compassion to international audiences through the film while celebrating his birthday milestone.
In the evening, a reception was hosted at the Wisdom Publications offices in New York City for those individuals who were involved in the production of the film, along with an advance celebration of His Holiness’s 90th birthday.
On behalf of all organisers of the “KUNDUN with Martin Scorsese” event, Tenchoe Gyatso expressed gratitude to the Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey, the choir group, performers, and Wisdom Publications for their contribution to the successful screening and tribute celebration.
–Report filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC
