Background of the Karnali International Film Festival:

Karnali Province is the oldest civilization in Nepal, rich in cultural heritage, natural beauty, and diversity. However, its lifestyle, history, tourist destinations, and social issues have not been adequately highlighted through cinema. As a result, the region’s abundant cultural heritage and tourism potential remain largely unexplored, presenting a significant challenge. Additionally, climate change has profoundly impacted the natural environment and the daily lives of the people in Karnali. Despite its potential, the development of tourism and the film industry in Karnali has not received the attention it deserves.

To address these challenges and bring Karnali’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and issues related to climate change to national and international attention, the Karnali International Film Festival was conceptualized. This festival aims to present Karnali from a new perspective, raising awareness and sparking discussions about the sensitive future of tourism, cinema, and climate conservation.

Last year, the first-ever “Karnali International Film Festival 2080” was grandly organized in Karnali’s history. The first two days of the festival were held in the federal capital, Kathmandu, the third day program was held in the provincial capital, Surkhet, and the final day in Gurans, a tourist destination in Dailekh. The activities during festival included various programs and discussions on critical topics such as cinema, tourism, and climate conservation, with expert participation in several sessions. This highlighted Karnali’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and social issues, making the festival significant at regional, national, and international levels.