Appian Way Partners with ‘Snow Leopard Sisters’ Documentary as Executive Producer, Noah Media Begins Sales Efforts
Appian Way Partners with "Snow Leopard Sisters" Documentary
Appian Way Productions has signed on as an executive producer for the feature documentary Snow Leopard Sisters, which made its debut at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival. The documentary follows the story of snow leopard conservationist Tshiring Lhamu Lama as she mentors 17-year-old Tenzin Bhuti Gurung in the Himalayas, capturing an extraordinary friendship between two Indigenous women.
Noah Media Group is currently handling international sales for the film, which is now being featured in the market. Appian Way, led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson, and Phillip Watson, is known for its focus on environmentally themed projects.
In Snow Leopard Sisters, Lama and Gurung embark on an arduous journey through the breathtaking and treacherous Himalayan landscape in pursuit of the endangered snow leopard. The producers highlight the importance of women’s voices in conservation, aiming to create a brighter future for both the snow leopards and the communities involved.
Following its SXSW premiere, the film has participated in numerous festivals, including the BANFF, Boulder Film Festival, Mountain Film Festival in Telluride, and the Seoul International Eco Film Festival. It has garnered several awards, including the Change Maker Award at the Kendal Mountain Film Festival, Best Conservation Film at the REEL WILD New York Film Festival, and the Audience Choice Award at the American Conservation Film Festival.
An associated impact campaign aims to enhance the snow leopard population by promoting livestock protection methods that safeguard the leopards and linking local communities to conservation efforts.
Catherine Quantschnigg, Head of Sales at Noah Media Group, remarked, “The two remarkable Indigenous women at the heart of the story are redefining conservation from the ground up through their courage and unwavering commitment. The film is a powerful testament to resilience, stewardship, and the profound connection between people and the natural world — a call to protect what remains before it’s too late. I look forward to introducing worldwide buyers to this film.”
The documentary’s directing team, which spans three continents, includes accomplished Indigenous Nepali photographer Sonam Choekyi Lama, alongside Ben Ayers and Andrew Lynch.
The directors stated, “We’re incredibly proud to see this film resonate with audiences and earn recognition at festivals around the globe, and we are thrilled to have built a worldwide community of supporters committed to ensuring that Tshiring’s groundbreaking conservation work ensures that Nepal’s snow leopards will maintain their crucial role in the Himalayan ecosystem for generations to come.”
Snow Leopard Sisters is produced by Joanna Natasegara, an Oscar-winner and founder of Violet Films, alongside Ian Davies, Torquil Jones, and Tshiring Lhamu Lama.
