KATHMANDU, MARCH 17
A new documentary film titled The Everest Dream, based on the inspiring journey of traumatic brain injury survivors from Scotland to Mount Everest Base Camp, is set to premiere at the Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) in Kathmandu on April 5.
Directed by Nepali filmmaker and journalist Ganesh Pandey, the documentary was produced after nearly one and a half years of work. The film narrates the extraordinary story of individuals who, after suffering severe brain injuries in accidents, chose to pursue an ambitious dream of trekking to Everest Base Camp.
Despite medical warnings that they might struggle to walk, speak or return to a normal life, the group travelled to Nepal with the determination to reach the base of the world's highest peak, Mount Everest.
The documentary follows their journey from Scotland to Kathmandu and onward through the Khumbu region toward Everest Base Camp, capturing both the physical challenges and emotional moments along the way. During the trek, the group faced difficulties such as high altitude, fatigue and health complications. At one point, a team member became separated from the group, while another had to stop the journey due to health issues before reaching the base camp.
According to director Pandey, the film aims to deliver a powerful message that life can still hold new dreams even after a traumatic brain injury. Led by James Lamb of the The Little Sherpa Foundation, five brain injury survivors along with family members-seven people in total-successfully reached Everest Base Camp.
Pandey himself also encountered difficulties during filming. As the team neared Everest Base Camp, he suffered from oxygen deficiency and had to return by helicopter.
Following its premiere at NIFF, the documentary is expected to be screened at various international film festivals around the world, Pandey said.
Pandey's previous documentaries have also received international recognition. His earthquake-themed documentary Bhagyale Banchekaharu (Lucky Survivors) won more than 17 international awards and was screened in over 32 countries. Another documentary, Co-Husband, which explores the polyandry tradition, has also won more than a dozen awards and been screened at over 40 film festivals worldwide.
The film's production team includes associate producer Sharada Gaire, cinematographers Suresh Shrestha and Niraj Panthi, editor Ishwor Koirala, musicians Jugal Dangol and Sandeep Sardar, and narrator Kaushal Ghimire.
Pandey expressed gratitude to the entire production team and also thanked James Lamb and The Little Sherpa Foundation for inspiring the project. He noted that his collaboration with the foundation previously provided him an opportunity to screen Bhagyale Banchekaharu at the Parliament of the United Kingdom in 2017.