Kathmandu – Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is organizing an event designated as “Yen Sankipa Nakha”, which is translated as Kathmandu Film Festival (KFF) as part of its cultural and tourism promotion. As KMS holds the designation of UNESCO Creative City of Film under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), it is part of its official cultural initiatives to highlight local heritage, living traditions, and creative industries. It is also KMC’s goal to promote Kathmandu as such, and also support local creators, and connect filmmakers with local communities. KFF’s inaugural edition will take place in Kathmandu on 30th, 31st October and 1st November.
Recently KMC had launched the “Tole Tole Ma Film Mahotsav” (Film in Every Neighborhood) as its first initiative, the campaign running from 19 June to 10 July 2026 across eight neighbourhood venues in Kathmandu featuring free public screenings every Friday and Saturday in open spaces, squares, and historical courtyards, partnering with various organizations.
It is the KFF’s vision to position Kathmandu as the world’s cultural gateway to Nepal, where the films invite the world to discover its stories, heritage, creativity, and living traditions, transforming how the world experiences Nepal at the same time inspiring new generations of storytellers, artists, and global citizens.
In order to carry out this vision, KMC has contemplated a mission built on some commitments. KMC will try to present exceptional films from Nepal and around the world that champion artistic excellence, cultural diversity, and bold storytelling; to position film as the gateway through which audiences discover the full breadth of Nepal’s culture; to build South Asia’s leading platform for international collaboration in filmmaking and the creative industries; to empower emerging filmmakers to create authentic stories that resonate locally and globally; to foster dialogue across cultures through film; and to present inspiring film experiences across theatres, heritage sites, public spaces, and communities through indoor and open-air screenings, making storytelling accessible, immersive, participatory, and engaging for all.
As part of the festival leading up to the main event, KMC is hosting a short video competition under the theme “My Culture, My Heritage”, focusing on Nepali daily life, rituals, history, and tangible as well as intangible heritage, the video length being under 5 minutes. Nepali citizens aged 18 to 40 are eligible to participate. Some prizes are expected to be awarded.
