Kathmandu: The 13th Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival is set to begin in Kathmandu on December 11, bringing together 50 human rights–focused films from 26 countries. The five-day event, which runs until December 15, will center on the theme “Child Rights.”
Screenings will take place at the Nepal Tourism Board and the Film Development Board. Many of the selected films have been featured at renowned festivals including Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and Busan.
One of the major highlights is “I Am Glad You Are Dead Now,” winner of the Short Film Palme d’Or at Cannes 2025. Co-produced by Palestine, France, and Greece, the film explores the strained relationship between two brothers shaped by childhood trauma.
Another notable entry is “Navi Lily,” which premiered at Cannes 2025. It follows the disrupted life of nine-year-old Lily from China’s Yunnan Province, capturing the emotional shifts in her childhood.
The festival will also screen “Azur,” the first-ever feature film in the Bajjika language. The story follows Saloni, a young girl from rural Bihar who defies social obstacles to pursue her education.
In the documentary category, acclaimed titles such as “Red Light to Limelight” and “Shout the Voice of Freedom” will be showcased. “Red Light to Limelight,” nominated in two categories at the 41st IDA Awards, portrays the lives of sex workers in Kolkata and the transformation of their children through filmmaking training.
Alongside film screenings, the festival will feature panel discussions, masterclasses, photo exhibitions, live painting sessions, and other interactive events. Filmmakers, artists, producers, and human rights activists from around the world are expected to participate.
