Kathmandu, September 3, 2026
The special fundraising screening of the Nepali feature film ‘Elephants in the Fog (TINIHARU)’, winner of the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, was held on Wednesday in Kathmandu.
Organised to support relief and recovery efforts as the country continues to face the devastating impact of a natural disaster, the screening raised voluntary contributions from guests, along with funds from the film’s producers. The entire amount raised was directly deposited into the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.
The screening was attended by the film’s cast and crew, alongside members of the media, journalists, artists, filmmakers, and guests from various fields. Following the screening, the film was met with a prolonged standing ovation and enthusiastic applause from the audience. Among those in attendance were actresses Manisha Koirala, Karishma Manandhar, Reecha Sharma, Keki Adhikari, and Usha Rajak, among others.
At the conclusion of the screening, the film was met with a roaring standing ovation and enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Member of the House of Representatives and businesswoman Vidushi Rana was visibly moved after watching the film and became emotional while speaking about it. She emphasised the importance of the film being seen by audiences, expressing that its story and themes make it especially important for people to engage with the film at this moment.
Speaking about the purpose behind the fundraising screening, Abinash Bikram Shah, writer-director of the film, said, “Our Nepal is in pain right now. We Nepalis are in pain. If this screening can, even in a small way, share in that pain and contribute something towards relief, I will consider it a success.”
Anup Poudel, producer of the film, also said that the fundraising screening was organised after reflecting on how the filmmakers could contribute, as members of the film community, during this difficult time of national crisis.
Following the fundraising screening, ‘Elephants in the Fog (TINIHARU)’ will be released in cinemas across Nepal from September 4.
Despite the country continuing to endure a period of grief and devastation, the film’s team has decided to proceed with the previously announced release date. The decision was made to continue the necessary process for the film’s Oscar submission. The filmmakers have also expressed their commitment to using the national and international platforms that come with the film’s theatrical and festival journey to bring Nepal’s stories, experiences, pain, and the issues surrounding climate change to audiences around the world.
In the coming months, ‘Elephants in the Fog (TINIHARU)’ will represent Nepal at international platforms including Toronto, BFI London, Taipei, Busan, and Rio, among others.
The film became the first Nepali feature film to be officially selected for the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, where it went on to receive the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize. The film has also won Best Film and the Audience Award in New Zealand.
The film’s team extends its sincere gratitude to all members of the media, filmmakers, guests, and audiences who attended the fundraising screening and showed their support and solidarity.
