KATHMANDU, MAY 27
The 22nd edition of the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (kimff) is set to begin on May 28, bringing together over 65 films from 30 countries under the theme "Fractured Voices, Reclaiming Narratives." The five-day festival will run through June 1, with screenings taking place across QFX Chhaya Center, Astrek Park, and GAA Hall in Thamel.
This year's lineup includes internationally acclaimed films alongside local works in the Nepal Panorama section, showcasing stories rooted in contemporary Nepali experiences. The festival opens with the Nepal premiere of Between the Mountain and the Sky, directed by Jeremy Power Regimbal, which follows Maggie Doyne, a CNN Hero, as she cares for Nepali orphans while navigating personal challenges.
In recognition of 70 years of Nepal-China friendship, the festival features a special Xizang Panorama section, presenting films from the Tibet region of China that that reflect similarities between the two countries despite differences in language and culture, according to the press release issued by the kimff.
"We hope the line-up of films and events will entertain audiences and engage them in critical conversations in and around issues that affect the Nepali public," said festival director Ramyata Limbu.
The festival jury includes directors Nabin Subba (Nepal), Martin Hasenöhrl (Austria), Yingqi Chen (China), Professor Xun Zhan (China), and film programmer Jinna Lee (Korea). They will select winners across categories including:
- Feature Documentary (14 shortlists) – $1,500
- Short Documentary (13 shortlists) – $1,000
- Feature Fiction (4 shortlists) – $1,500
- Short Fiction (11 shortlists) – $1,000
- Best Mountain & Adventure Film – $1,000
- Best ICIMOD Mountain Film – $1,000
This edition introduces the Kathmandu Doc Lab, a first-of-its-kind initiative to mentor emerging South Asian documentary filmmakers. Running from May 24 to 28, the lab features nine selected projects mentored by Anam Abbas, Arun Bhattarai, and Rintu Thomas. The program will culminate in a live documentary pitch, with $4,500 in prizes supported by the Nepal Film Development Board, kimff Foundation, and Nepal Film Initiative, the release further stated.
The festival also highlights live Cut.Katha Documentary Pitch where five Nepali women filmmakers will present their pitches for short documentary, and a Nikon Youth photography/filmmaking workshop, the organisers said.
As part of the five-day long festival, four exhibitions will be held as satellite events at Kala Salon, Chhaya center in Thamel, including:
- Maya: The Birth of a Superhero (VR installation)
- Top 12 kimff 2025 Poster Designs
- Breaking Code Red – Dignity without Danger Display
- Kangchenjunga – The Five Pillars and the Five Treasures
Tickets are priced at Rs. 150 for the general public and Rs. 100 for students and further information about the event can be found at the kimff website.
