[1] It later received a theatrical release and was invited to qualify for Academy Award consideration by the International Documentary Association through the 2012 DocuWeeks program.

Writing of Digital Dharma, Variety said:Dafna Yachin’s specialty docu is richly informative, not only about Smith’s life and his place in the troubled history of Tibet, but also about the intersection of ancient work and new technologies.

E. Gene Smith, a Mormon from Ogden, Utah, becomes aware of the situation while studying the Sanskrit and Tibetan languages at the University of Washington.

As years pass other political and technical issues hinder progress, but Smith persists with his plan, gathering an increasing number of documents over time.

In an age when information seems quick, easy and even expendable, the film Digital Dharma should make us think carefully about technology's relationship to replication in our post-analog lives.

Once she came to understand the scope and importance of Smith's quest, she received his permission to follow him back to India and Nepal to capture his delivery of the first 12,000 digitized texts he had salvaged.

It’s crowded, and with shooting around the historic monuments, people can give you some issues if you don’t pay the government.”[7] Raising money for ongoing production was a constant concern.

"[8] A variety of fundraising methods were used to continue filming, including donations from organizations, individuals, and web platforms Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

Screenings included: DVDs for home viewing and educational institutions are distributed through the official Digital Dharma site and Lunchbox Communications.

[28] Of Digital Dharma, Variety said, "Yachin’s prime achievement lies in making several knotty concepts not just palatable but engrossing," and stated: A divinely inspired gift for those devoted to Buddhism, preservation and/or a free Tibet, “Digital Dharma” is also an affectionate tribute to the late E. Gene Smith, the scholar, librarian and ex-Mormon who waged a 50-year struggle to save the endangered texts of Tibetan Buddhism.

"[29] The Los Angeles Times called the film "informative if not entirely engaging," and said:Director Dafna Yachin's use of archival images, including dramatic footage of burning monasteries, striking location shots and interviews with scholars, provides compelling glimpses into history and culture, as well as thoughtful context for events such the Tibetan uprising of 2008.

"[5] Libertas Film Magazine gave it a letter grade "B" and said: Often fascinating, Digital offers viewers some helpful context for understanding Tibetan Buddhism as well as the captive nation’s thorny history over the past seventy years or so.