Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Ladakh Filmmaker Stanzin Jigmet Wins Gold at Student Oscars
Stanzin Jigmet is a young filmmaker from Ladakh.
His film is called The Dragon Letter.
It won a Gold award at the Student Academy Awards.
The ceremony was held at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14.
Students from around the world submitted films to the competition.
There were 2,972 submissions from 894 colleges and universities.
Jigmet studied film directing in Barcelona, Spain.
His film may now be considered for one of three short-film categories at the 99th Oscars.
Stanzin Jigmet from Ladakh won Gold for The Dragon Letter at the 53rd Student Academy Awards.
The film’s success brought international recognition to Jigmet and Indian cinema.
The awards ceremony took place at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14.
This year’s competition received 2,972 submissions from students at 894 colleges and universities worldwide.
Winning films can be considered for three short-film categories at the 99th Oscars.
- Who
- Ladakh filmmaker Stanzin Jigmet and his film The Dragon Letter.
- What
- Jigmet won Gold at the 53rd Student Academy Awards.
- When
- The ceremony took place on September 14; Jigmet said the film won a 2026 Student Academy Award.
- Where
- The ceremony was held at the Toronto International Film Festival, and Jigmet is from Mulbekh in Ladakh.
- Why
- The award recognized The Dragon Letter and made it eligible for consideration in three short-film categories at the 99th Oscars.
- Winner
- Stanzin Jigmet
- Winning film
- The Dragon Letter
- Award
- Gold at the 53rd Student Academy Awards
- Ceremony
- Toronto International Film Festival, September 14
- Submissions
- 2,972 student submissions
- Participating institutions
- 894 colleges and universities worldwide
- Oscar eligibility
- Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, and Documentary Short Film
- Education and company
- Master’s degree in Film Directing from ESCAC; founder of Pixel Challenger Films