"Silent Holy Stone", China's first movie in Tibetan language and written and directed by a Tibetan, premiered on Thursday in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province.

The 102-minute movie tells the story of a young Lama who returns to home for New Year holidays from his remote temple, and is deeply impressed by the changes in his village.

Wanmacaidan, director and screenwriter, said it reflected the balance of tradition and modernity, religious devotion and simple relations among people by depicting the "silent changes" taking place in remote areas of Tibet.

Over the past few decades, Chinese film makers have made some films about Tibet, including "Serfs," "Red River Valley" and "The Horse Thief Composer", but few were in Tibetan or starred and directed by Tibetans.

"Most of the films lacked profound insight into Tibet and Tibetans," said Wanmacaidan, who wanted to make a "pure" Tibetan film in the Tibetan language with Tibetan actors after graduating from the Beijing Film Academy.

"This film stars Tibetans, so we expect to show the development of the culture and society, as well as the spirit and temperament of the people who live on the Tibetan Plateau," Wanmacaidan said.

The film won the Maiden Direction award at China's 25th Golden Rooster awards last November, as well as awards at the Busan International Film Festival and Vancouver International Film Festival.

Editor: Donald