"Sonam" (The Fortunate One), the first feature film made in a little-known dialect of Arunachal Pradesh, has been selected for the prestigious Autrans International Mountain Film Festival from November 26 in the French Alps.

The Ahsan Muzid's film, which deals with polyandry among yak shepherds in Arunachal Pradesh, is the first one to be made in Monpa, a dialect of the Indo-Tibetan branch of languages, with English sub-titles.

Organisers of the festival, held at the Vercors village, have subtitled the film in French. But Muzid said he won't be able to attend the festival due to some obligations.

"Autrans is one of the most prestigious mountain film festivals in Europe and is unique in France. The festival has become the major important event of the genre for mountain life and culture. But unfortunately I will not be able to attend it. Still, it's an honour that my film will be there," Muzid said.

Based on a popular Assamese novel of the same name, written by Sahitya Akademi winner Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi, "Sonam" has represented the country in various festivals across the globe including National Geographic's 'All Roads Film Project' and Himalay Archie Nederland Film Festival in Amsterdam.

It also won the Rajat Kamal in 2005 for the best feature film for "picturesque and effective portrayal of the contemporary tribal life".

It took Muzid and his crew 45 days of gruelling trekking and travelling at heights of 8,000 feet to 15,000 feet to complete the film.

"Sonam" is about the lifestyle of Brokpas (yak herders among the Monpa tribe) in the high altitude Himalayas. It deals with the subject of love, hatred and jealousy that can breed between two husbands of a Monpa woman," Muzid said.

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