Kathmandu, May 29
Honouring 70 years of bilateral relations between Nepal and Switzerland, the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (kimff) organised a special conversation on ‘Alpine Alliances: New Wave of Nepali Cinema’, exploring how award-winning Nepali filmmakers are navigating global cinema and audiences through prominent Swiss labs and festivals.
Held as a special highlight on the second day of kimff’s 23rd edition, the panel featured Director Abinash Bikram Shah, Director Min Bham, and Producer Ram Krishna Pokharel, who made their return to kimff after presenting a new frontier of Nepali cinema to global audiences.
Moderated by Head of Jury/ International Film Programmer Deepti DCunha, the discussion reflected on the evolving relationship between local storytelling and international viewership, as well as the possibilities and challenges of positioning Nepali cinema on the world stage.
The program was inaugurated by Swiss Ambassador Danielle Meuwly, who reflected on Switzerland’s longstanding association with kimff and the enduring cultural ties between Nepal and Switzerland.
“We believe in the power of cinema to promote diversity and multicultural space, and have long supported kimff,” she said, adding that the special segment beautifully reflected the diplomatic relations between Nepal and Switzerland.
The panellists reflected on the thrill of having participation and getting their films represented at international film festivals such as Locarno. The discussion touched on how international collaboration extends far beyond financial support, fostering creative exchange through large-scale networking, post-production opportunities, mentorship, and artistic consultation
Abinash Bikram Shah, director of Elephants in the Fog, said, “Having a foreign eye, or any new lens, will bring new perspectives that could add a new flair or nuance to the film that may not have been considered before.”
The panellists further spoke about challenges faced by emerging filmmakers who are not yet connected to major festivals or established industry networks. The session saw a full-house turnout, bringing together filmmakers, actors, jury members, and festival audiences for an engaging exchange on the evolving future of Nepali cinema.
