Kathmandu and Australia Discuss Collaboration for International Film Festival During Courtesy Meeting

Kathmandu- Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Sunita Dangol and Australian Ambassador to Nepal Simon Ernst held a courtesy meeting on Thursday, focusing on potential collaboration for Kathmandu’s upcoming International Film Festival and broader cultural partnerships.

During the meeting, Dangol said the International Film Festival, planned for the fiscal year 2083/84 (2026/27), would serve as an integrated platform combining the creative industries and tourism.

“Organizing films is not the municipality’s primary responsibility,” Dangol said. “However, cinema is a powerful medium for connecting communities and promoting the creative industry. That is why we are organizing the film festival.”

She expressed KMC’s interest in inviting Australian filmmakers, directors, artists, and technical professionals to participate in the festival. Dangol also highlighted opportunities for collaboration in strengthening the capacity of Nepal’s film professionals, promoting film education and awareness in communities and educational institutions, encouraging research, and using cinema to foster creative industries that can improve local livelihoods.

She noted that KMC’s recently concluded Neighborhood Film Festival demonstrated the social value of community-based cinema.

“We realized that films bring people out of their homes and into public spaces, helping strengthen social harmony,” she said. “The enthusiastic participation of women and children and the happiness we witnessed matched our expectations.”

Building on those experiences, Dangol said the International Film Festival would bring together stakeholders, experts, and partners on a common platform, featuring professional training, workshops, knowledge exchange, and networking opportunities.

Responding to the proposal, Ambassador Ernst welcomed the initiative, noting the strong people-to-people ties between Nepal and Australia.

“This year, around 50,000 Australian citizens have visited Nepal, while thousands of Nepalis are living in different cities across Australia,” Ernst said. “Australia can certainly be part of the programs Kathmandu is planning, and we view such cooperation positively.”

The meeting also included discussions on establishing sister-city relationships, engaging the Nepali diaspora in collaborative initiatives, and sharing experiences in urban development and city management.

Chief Administrative Officer of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Saroj Guragain, along with officials from the International Relations Secretariat and the Mayor’s Secretariat, were also present during the meeting.