Panel Discussion: Karnali in Cinema

Participants:

Hon. Gyanendra Shahi: Member of Federal Parliament
Hon. Rajiv Bikram Shah: Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning, Karnali Province
Mr. Dinesh DC: Executive Chairman, Film Development Board
Mr. Santosh Sen: Film Producer/Director
Mr. Bikash Subedi: Film Writer/Director
Moderator: Keshav Dhakal (Journalist)

Key Discussion Points:

Concept of an Open Film Studio: Participants reached a consensus that, given its breathtaking natural beauty and unique cultural diversity, Karnali Province should be developed as a natural “Open Film Studio.”
Guarantee of Budget and Subsidies: The Minister of Economic Affairs, Rajiv Bikram Shah, committed to giving special priority to the film sector in the upcoming budget through the Karnali Academy. He pledged that the provincial government would provide subsidies and technical support to producers and directors who choose to film in Karnali.
State Responsibility and Policy Clarity: The panel emphasized that cinema must be developed as a formal industry to take Karnali’s stories and locations to a global stage. It was noted that the state must play a parental/guardian role in providing clear policies to support this growth.
Collaboration with the Film Development Board: Chairman Dinesh DC stated that the Board would collaborate with the provincial government to promote locations and simplify the filming process. He mentioned that many stories from Karnali are yet to be told on screen. Highlighting that Karnali currently has only one cinema hall, he encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of government support packages, including tax exemptions, to build new theaters. He urged stakeholders to view cinema as a primary foundation for tourism promotion.
Promotion of Stories and Culture: Filmmakers Santosh Sen and Bikash Subedi argued that Karnali should not be viewed merely as a collection of beautiful locations; its original stories, languages, and traditions must be featured prominently. Sharing their experiences of filming in the region, they noted how cinema has successfully introduced Karnali to the world and expressed their commitment to future projects in the province.
Federal Coordination and Demand for Special Packages: Federal MP Gyanendra Shahi stressed that the central government needs to remove policy hurdles. He pointed out that the provincial government has struggled with budget expenditure and urged them to create a specific policy to support filmmakers. He suggested a “Special Package” for the film sector to provide the solid financial planning required to attract producers to the region.