Kathmandu
Lost In Mandala, billed as Nepal’s first animated feature film created for the global market, is set to reach audiences in Nepal and select international territories through a distribution partnership with Apple Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
Inspired by the spiritual traditions, mythology and landscapes of the Himalayas, the fantasy adventure follows a 12-year-old girl and her friends who become trapped in a mysterious alternate dimension. As they confront a sinister dark force, the group must rely on friendship, courage and compassion to save their world.
The film is being developed by Incessant Rain Studios in partnership with NIMB Ace Capital, combining local storytelling with international filmmaking expertise. It is directed by Kiran Bhakta Joshi, founder and co-CEO of Incessant Rain Studios and a former visual effects supervisor at Walt Disney Studios whose credits include The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. The screenplay is written by Hollywood screenwriter Zack Stentz, known for Thor and X-Men: First Class.
Executive producer Nakim Uddin, chairperson of Apple Entertainment, said the film aims to showcase Nepal’s storytelling potential to international audiences. Apple Entertainment Managing Director Bipashyana Shrestha said the partnership will help bring the culturally rooted film to wider audiences through the company’s theatrical distribution network.
The project is expected to mark a milestone for Nepal’s animation industry by transforming the country’s mythology and cultural heritage into a feature-length production designed for global audiences. The producers say the film combines a distinctly Nepali setting with universal themes of friendship, compassion and self-discovery, positioning it as an ambitious step forward for Nepal’s creative industry.
Photos: Nitin Regmi
