The Cup (Phörpa)

Directed by Khyentse Norbu, The Cup is widely regarded as the first Bhutanese feature film and was Bhutan's first submission to the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. Based on a true story, the comedy-drama follows young Tibetan Buddhist monks in a monastery in exile who become obsessed with the 1998 FIFA World Cup final between France and Brazil. Shot at Chokling Monastery in Bir, India, with non-professional monk actors, it grossed over $1 million at the US box office and screened at Cannes, Toronto, and dozens of international festivals.