Kathmandu, March 31
Crawling Crows: Aankha, a Nepali feature film directed by Zaun Yonzan, has secured a nomination for the prestigious Remi Award at the upcoming WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival in the United States. The festival, which brings together filmmakers and creative works from around the globe, is scheduled to take place in Houston, Texas, USA, from April 24 to May 3, 2026.
This nomination follows the film’s historic triumph at the 62nd Asia-Pacific Film Festival, where it bagged the title of ‘Best Film.’ It holds the distinction of being the first Nepali film to ever receive the festival’s supreme honour.
Founded in 1961, the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival is widely recognised as one of the oldest independent film and video festivals in the world. The event is particularly renowned for discovering emerging talent; Hollywood stalwarts such as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, David Lynch, and Ang Lee all received their first Remi Awards at this festival early in their careers.
Director Zaun Yonzan expressed his immense gratitude for the international recognition. He noted that the film’s journey, from its historic win in the Asia-Pacific region to its prestigious nomination in the US, proves that “Nepali stories can touch the hearts of global audiences.”
With its landmark achievements, Aankha has successfully drawn global attention to Nepal’s burgeoning film industry. The film features a talented cast including Smita Lamichhane, Pashupati Rai, Nisha Adhikari, RK Mehta, Bijay Baral, and Buddhi Tamang.
The story of the film depicts a profound and realistic portrayal of the lives, daily struggles, and harsh realities of ordinary people residing in squatter settlements.
