Living Sanctuaries: The Monasteries of Zanskar

Discover the dramatic, cliff-hugging buildings whose walls are the living records of Buddhist practice and meet the communities who live in them. High in the Western Himalaya, the Zanskar Valley holds an architectural tradition shaped by centuries of Buddhist practice, extreme climate, and geographic isolation. At nearly 13,000 feet, its monasteries and nunneries are not only places of worship but living records of Tibetan and Himalayan craftsmanship. This documentary follows Studio Nyandak—an architecture and engineering firm based in New York City and Dharamshala—on a research expedition to chart these structures and engage the communities who sustain them. Through fieldwork, reflection, and local voices, the film examines the complexities of preservation when history, devotion, and architecture remain inseparable. This screening will include two short films and a Q&A: A Phone Call and Lobsang on Camera. Joining us for a Q and A at the the UK premiere of Living Sanctuaries - Monasteries of Zanskar will be Dr John Harrison. A historical conservation architect with over 30 years of field experience in the Western Himalaya.