Kathmandu – Nepal has officially participated for the first time with a national stall at the 78th Cannes Film Festival currently being held in Cannes, France. The initiative has been organized by the Film Development Board Nepal in collaboration with the Nepal Tourism Board, aiming to promote Nepali cinema, filmmakers, filming destinations, and the country’s cultural identity on the global stage.
According to a press release issued by the Film Development Board, the UK-based Nepali production company Shahi Productions has been appointed as the local partner and coordinator for the management of the Nepal stall. The Board stated that due to the Government of Nepal’s temporary policy restrictions regarding foreign travel, it was not practically possible to send official representatives at the last moment. Therefore, local coordination was arranged to ensure Nepal’s participation in the prestigious festival.
The Board had earlier published an official notice on Falgun 25, 2081 (Nepali calendar), requesting interested filmmakers to submit posters, trailers, promotional materials, and other necessary information related to their films for inclusion in the Nepal stall at Cannes.
As part of the preparation, the Nepali film Elephant in the Fall was given special priority for presentation at the stall. Discussions were also held with the film’s producer Anup Paudel and director Amminath Sharma regarding strategies for international promotion and representation during the festival.
The Film Development Board further stated that nearly 60 percent of the Nepal stall space had been allocated for the promotion of Nepali films and related materials. In coordination with the Nepal Tourism Board, plans had also been made to organize networking events in honor of Nepali filmmakers and participants attending the festival.
The Board mentioned that continuous coordination had been carried out regarding stall design, logos, and promotional materials. However, due to the unavailability of complete promotional content from some film teams until the final deadline, the stall management had to proceed based on the materials received.
According to the Board, Nepal’s participation in Cannes should not be viewed as an effort centered around any single film or group, but rather as a long-term strategic initiative to connect the Nepali film industry with international markets, co-production opportunities, film distribution networks, film tourism, and cultural diplomacy.
The Film Development Board also acknowledged public comments, feedback, and suggestions shared through social media and various platforms, stating that such responses would be positively incorporated to make future participation more organized, inclusive, and effective.
The Board reiterated its commitment to expanding the international recognition of Nepali cinema and strengthening Nepal’s presence in the global film industry.
