KATHMANDU: The Nepali film — Highway to Dhampus is finally being screened in Nepal. Written and directed by American director Rick McFarland, the film will be released on September 25.

It was officially announced at the press meet held on September 21 at Attic Restaurant, Tangal in the presence of Nepali actors of the film Raj Ballav Koirala and Deshbhakta Khanal.

The independent feature film stars Koirala, Nepali-Australian actor Suesha Rana, British actor Rachel Hurd-Wood and American actor Gunner Wright in the lead.

“It was a good experience working with him (director). He was prepared and had done pre-study — ‘what I am doing, when I have to finish, what I need…’ to shoot the film here,” Koirala who lives in the USA shared about working with McFarland. They worked like friends and Koirala learnt many things from the director.

Koirala plays a role of a pilot in the film. He further added, “I wish Nepali movies would reach in the international market like other cinemas. I always wished Nepali movies would reach the wider audience, I think now it will as it is in capable hands (McFarland’s).”

Highway to Dhampus is a film about change, learning to live well, to love and give… Senior Nepali actor Khanal plays Mahendra Sharma. About his role, he shared, “I did not go through the script first. Before going through the script, I thought, ‘what good role will Nepalis land but a yes, sir no sir role. Later I found it was a good role.”

Highway to Dhampus was shot in 2012. And it has been screened in many international film festivals where it won many accolades — 2014 Heartland Film Festival Best Premiere Award Winner, Narrative Feature and Best Feature Film at the Madrid International Film Festival 2015 among others.