KATHMANDU, MAY 19 The 23rd edition of the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) will be held from May 27 to 31, 2026 at QFX Chhaya Centre in Thamel, Kathmandu, featuring more than 50 films from 29 countries. Under the theme 'Global Stories, Local Voices,' the festival will present a wide selection of fiction, documentary, short and adventure films, aiming to engage audiences in stories shaped by mountain communities and global experiences. The Nepal Panorama section will also showcase Nepali films focusing on contemporary issues and local narratives. Festival director Ramyata Limbu said the programme has been designed to both entertain audiences and encourage critical dialogue on issues affecting Nepali society. The festival will open with the Nepal premiere of Shape of Momo, an award-winning film by Tribeny Rai (India), which tells the story of a woman returning to her Himalayan hometown and confronting the choice between tradition and personal independence. This year's edition will also mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Switzerland through a special programme titled Alpine Alliances: New Wave of Nepali Cinema, featuring discussions with Nepali filmmakers who have participated in Swiss film labs and festivals. Similarly, to mark 70 years of Nepal–Japan diplomatic relations, KIMFF will host a special screening of Climbing for Life by Japanese filmmaker Sakamoto Junji, which portrays the life of Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest. A panel discussion titled 'What's in a Story – Cinema and Censorship' will also be held during the festival. The international jury for KIMFF 2026 will be headed by Deepti DCunha (India), along with Chalida Uabumrungjit (Thailand), Kumar Nagarkoti (Nepal), and Luca Bich (Italy). They will select winners across feature fiction, feature documentary, short fiction and short documentary categories. The Nepal Panorama jury includes Lucie De Barros (France), filmmaker Nabin Chauhan (Nepal), and film critic Reena Moktan (Nepal), who will judge Nepali fiction and documentary categories. The festival awards include USD 1,500 for best feature documentary and best feature fiction, USD 1,000 each for best short documentary and short fiction in the international category. In the Nepal Panorama section, best fiction and documentary will receive Rs. 100,000 each, while the KIMFF Audience Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 100,000. KIMFF 2026 will host the second edition of Kathmandu DocLab, aimed at supporting South Asian documentary filmmakers. Eight selected projects will be mentored by filmmakers Anam Abbas (Pakistan–Canada), Arun Bhattarai (Bhutan), and Sarvnik Kaur (India), culminating in a live pitching session during the festival. In collaboration with Chalachitra Lab, the festival will also conduct a short fiction lab and script pitching forum for six Nepali projects, designed to connect emerging filmmakers with mentorship and investment opportunities. The festival will feature Asha: Dreams in Motion, a screening and panel highlighting youth aspirations in Nepal, presented by the EU and UNICEF. Another programme, Her Climate Story, supported by YUWA and Plan International, will focus on climate change and gender perspectives. KIMFF 2026 is supported by multiple international and national partners including the Swiss Development Cooperation, Film Development Board, European Union Delegation to Nepal, UNICEF, Nepal Mountaineering Association, and several cultural and development organisations. The festival is promoted by the Nepal Tourism Board and supported by partners including Hotel Tibet, WorldLink, Nepali Patro, Barahsinghe, and QFX Cinemas. Organised by the KIMFF Foundation, the festival is a member of the Turin-based International Alliance for Mountain Film (IAMF). Tickets are priced at Rs. 150 for general audiences and Rs. 100 for students.