French Embassy celebrates Cannes success of ‘Elephants in the Fog’

The French Embassy in Kathmandu recently hosted a celebratory reception for the Nepali film ‘Elephants in the Fog,’ which secured the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.

This cinematic achievement marks a significant moment for Nepal's creative industry, showcasing its potential on the international stage. The film itself is a collaborative effort, involving Nepal, France, Germany, Brazil, and Norway, and received crucial support from Institut Français through its La Fabrique program.

French Ambassador to Nepal Virginie Corteval highlighted the award as a testament to Nepal's "extraordinary creative talent." She expressed confidence that more Nepali talent will gain global recognition, emphasizing that the country possesses many powerful stories waiting to be told.

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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 the global platforms.

Director Abinash Bikram Shah conveyed his gratitude to the film's supporters and the French regional funding bodies. He stressed the importance of such investments, stating, "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."

The reception, held at the ambassador's residence, gathered key figures including members of the film crew, Kathmandu Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol, media representatives, and prominent figures from the film industry.

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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.