Kathmandu: Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) has announced their 23rd edition for 2026. KIMFF will showcase diverse and compelling stories from 27 – 31 May 2026 at QFX Chhaya Centre in Thamel, screening more than 50 films from 29 countries.
KIMFF has brought internationally acclaimed films ranging from fiction, documentary, shorts, adventure cinema to Nepali cinephiles, filmmakers, and the general public. The Nepal Panorama section features films by local talent that spotlight stories about contemporary Nepal.
“We hope the line-up of films and events will entertain audiences and engage them in critical conversations in and around issues that affect the Nepali public,” said Festival Director Ramyata Limbu.
The festival will open with the Nepal Premiere of Shape of Momo, an award-winning film by Tribeny Rai (India). The film follows Bishnu, a woman who quits her job in the city and returns to her Himalayan hometown, where she must choose between conforming to tradition or claiming her independence.
Kimff will celebrate 70 years of bilateral relations between Nepal and Switzerland by organising ‘Alpine Alliances: New Wave of Nepali Cinema (Navigating World Cinema and audiences through Swiss partnerships)’ which will be a conversation with award-winning Nepali filmmakers at prominent Swiss film labs and festivals.
The festival will also feature a panel discussion called ‘What’s In a Story – Cinema and Censorship’
To mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal, the festival will feature a special screening of Climbing for Life by acclaimed Japanese director Sakamoto Junji. The feature film is about the life of the first woman to climb Mount Everest, Junko Tabei.
KIMFF 2026 International jury comprises Jury Head Deepti DCunha, International Film Programmer from India; Chalida Iabumrungjit, Director of the Film Archive from Thailand; Kumar Nagarkoti, Writer and Poet from Nepal; and Luca Bich, Director of Cervino Cine Mountain Festival from Italy. The Juries will decide the Best Film for Feature Fiction from the 5 shortlisted, Feature Documentary from the 11 shortlisted, Short Fiction from the 7 shortlisted, and Short Documentary from the 10 shortlisted.
The Nepal Panorama jury – Lucie De Barros, Cultural & Communication Coordinator at Alliance Francaise Kathmandu from France; Nabin Chauhan Filmmaker from Nepal; and Reena Moktan Film Journalist and Critic from Nepal – will decide Best Documentary from the 5 shortlisted and Best Fiction from the 9 shortlisted.
KIMFF 2026 awards in international category are $1500 Best Feature Documentary, $1000 Best Short Documentary, $1500 Best Feature Fiction, $1000 Best Short Fiction. The Best Documentary and Best Fiction Film in Nepal Panorama will receive Rs.100,000 each, respectively. The KIMFF Audience Award is Rs.100,000.
KIMFF will be hosting the 2nd edition of Kathmandu DocLab as well. Dedicated to fostering talent from South Asia, filmmakers Anam Abbas (Pakistan-Canada), Arun Bhattarai (Bhutan) and Sarvnik Kaur (India) will mentor eight South Asian projects that will culminate in a live pitching event during the festival.
KIMFF in partnership with Chalachitra Lab will host a short fiction lab and script pitching forum for six Nepali projects to address the critical need for a professional marketplace where fiction filmmakers can secure investments and mentorship.
KIMFF champions young filmmakers and will feature Asha: Dreams In Motion, a screening and panel that captures the aspirations of young people across Nepal, presented by EU and UNICEF. It will also feature Her Climate Story, a screening and panel discussion by Yuwa and Plan International.
The tickets for the festival will be Rs 150 for general and Rs 100 for students.
