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Kathmandu — The third edition of the Karnali International Film Festival has officially begun under the slogan “Visit Karnali, Experience Karnali.” The opening ceremony, held on Thursday, was attended by Minister for Forests and Environment Madhav Chaulagain, Karnali Province’s Minister for Social Development Ghanshyam Bhandari, Film Development Board Chairperson Dinesh DC, Gurans Rural Municipality Chairperson Top Bahadur BC, veteran actor Shiv Shrestha, actor and goodwill ambassador Pradeep Khadka, former FNCCI President and festival patron Bhawani Rana, and Nepal Tourism Board Senior Manager Surya Thapaliya, among others.
Organized with the objective of promoting Nepali cinema while highlighting the potential of film tourism, the festival aims to connect cinema and tourism from urban centers to rural areas. Despite Karnali being rich in natural and cultural potential, film and tourism-related activities remain limited. The festival seeks to preserve and promote the region’s stories, culture, lifestyle, language, traditional attire, and heritage.
According to Festival Director Chakra Bahadur Chand, the “Destination Karnali” campaign has been launched to bring Karnali’s hidden stories to national and international platforms. “We have called for story submissions to transform Karnali’s narratives into films. Outstanding stories will be honored next April, and film production will be considered where possible,” he said. Promoting tourism through cinema and delivering messages related to climate change are also key objectives of the festival.
Speaking at the event, actor Pradeep Khadka emphasized that Karnali should be viewed with pride rather than sympathy. “Karnali is the birthplace of our language, literature, art, and culture. Although Nepali cinema started late, we are strong in originality. If Nepali cinema is to reach new heights, Karnali can become its center,” he stated.
Nepal Tourism Board Senior Manager Surya Thapaliya said such initiatives help generate positive policy-level discussions. Festival patron Bhawani Rana expressed confidence that the festival would help position Karnali on the international stage. Film Development Board Chairperson Dinesh DC noted that while the impact of film tourism may be difficult to measure directly, cinematic visuals naturally attract tourists.
Minister Madhav Chaulagain highlighted cinema as a powerful medium to boost Karnali’s confidence, saying, “Art can change people’s mindset in a short time. Karnali is an excellent hotspot for original stories.”
According to the organizers, the festival will be conducted in four phases. The schedule is as follows:
Third Karnali International Film Festival (Surkhet) – April 17, 2026 (Baisakh 4, 2083)
Gurans Film Tourism Dialogue – April 18, 2026 (Baisakh 5, 2083)
Karnali International Film Tourism and Climate Awards (Kathmandu) – May 9, 2026 (Baisakh 26, 2083)
Jumla Tatopani Tourism Film and Climate Summit – July 11, 2026 (Jestha 27, 2083)
The organizers informed that the festival will be conducted in four phases, aiming to introduce Karnali’s countless stories, art, culture, and natural beauty to the world and provide a new direction for Nepal’s film and tourism sectors.
