Cannes winner Elephants in the Fog celebrated at French Embassy in Nepal

Kathmandu, Nepal – The French Ambassador's residence in Kathmandu buzzed with excitement Friday as diplomats, filmmakers, and community leaders gathered to honor the historic success of "Elephants in the Fog" at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The cocktail reception, hosted by French Ambassador to Nepal Virginie Corteval, celebrated the film's recent win of the prestigious Un Certain Regard Jury Prize.

This award represents a major milestone for Nepali cinema on the global stage. "Elephants in the Fog," directed by Nepali filmmaker Abinash Bikram Shah, is an international co-production involving Nepal, France, Germany, Brazil, and Norway. The project received vital institutional support from the Institut Français through its La Fabrique program, which aids emerging talent from developing industries.

Ambassador Corteval lauded the filmmakers' vision, stressing the growing influence of Nepali storytelling. "This recognition at Cannes was a testament to Nepal’s extraordinary creative talent," Corteval stated. "Nepal has plenty of powerful stories to tell, and I’m certain that we will get to see more of Nepali talent at global platforms."

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This recognition at Cannes was a testament to Nepal’s extraordinary creative talent. Nepal has plenty of powerful stories to tell, and I’m certain that we will get to see more of Nepali talent at global platforms.

For Shah, the award is more than an artistic triumph; it's a lifeline for independent, socially conscious filmmaking. He expressed gratitude to the film's international backers and French regional funds, delivering a passionate speech about the critical need for diverse cinema funding. "When you invest in a film like ours, it becomes more than just a production," Shah said. "You are protecting a voice. You are ensuring that stories that are so deeply local, stories about resilience and survival and of those on the margins, are not erased by financial constraints."

The celebratory event drew a diverse crowd from Kathmandu's cultural and political circles, including the film's crew, members of the press, prominent cinema figures, and the Acting Mayor of Kathmandu, Sunita Dangol. The success of "Elephants in the Fog" highlights the increasing power of cross-border co-productions in bringing localized, often marginalized, narratives to a worldwide audience.

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When you invest in a film like ours, it becomes more than just a production. You are protecting a voice. You are ensuring that stories that are so deeply local, stories about resilience and survival and of those on the margins, are not erased by financial constraints.