DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇵 Nepal /Culture & Society

Kathmandu Film Festival Celebrates Young Filmmakers

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • The 2026 edition of Something Like a Film Festival (SLFF) is showcasing 40 short films, primarily by young and debutant filmmakers, at Airavat Picture House until June 29.
  • The festival, which began in 2011 as a platform for non-mainstream filmmakers, features 13 films by Nepali directors, many of whom are first-time creators.
  • SLFF '26 includes segments on environmental films, local Nepali cinema, queer films, and animations, with partnerships extending to international film schools and festivals.

Kathmandu is currently hosting the 2026 edition of Something Like a Film Festival (SLFF), a vibrant showcase dedicated to emerging talent in filmmaking. The festival, running until June 29 at the Airavat Picture House, features 40 short films, most under 30 minutes, with a strong emphasis on young and debutant directors.

SLFF was envisioned to also overcome the thought barrier of the festival as a film screening venue, encouraging instead networking and professional support catered to young filmmakers.

— Kshitiz AdhirajFounder director of Docskool and artistic supervisor for Something Like a Film Festival, explaining the festival's purpose beyond just screenings.

Tracing its roots back to 2011, SLFF was initially conceived as an alternative space for cinema networking and project development. This year's edition highlights 13 films by Nepali filmmakers, nearly all of whom are making their directorial debuts. Notable Nepali projects include the opening film, ‘I listen for the Sound of Ashes’ by Mihir Pyakurel, and the closing film, ‘Bus to Bagbazar’ by Nishit Thapa.

The festival is thoughtfully divided into distinct segments: environmental films, local Nepali cinema, queer films, and animations/student films. Kshitiz Adhiraj, founder director of Docskool and artistic supervisor for SLFF, explained the festival's broader vision. “SLFF was envisioned to also overcome the thought barrier of the festival as a film screening venue, encouraging instead networking and professional support catered to young filmmakers,” Adhiraj stated. “These ventures have all branched out to stimulate new growth for young filmmakers beyond the festival’s limitations.”

These ventures have all branched out to stimulate new growth for young filmmakers beyond the festival’s limitations.

— Kshitiz AdhirajFounder director of Docskool and artistic supervisor for Something Like a Film Festival, discussing the festival's impact on filmmakers' careers.

SLFF ’26, organized by Docskool, has forged significant international partnerships this year. It collaborates with the LGBTQ Film Festival Ljubljana to present queer films from Slovenia, Green Hub India for environmental films, and several film schools from Iran, Singapore, Georgia, and Poland. The festival will also screen a selection of animated shorts on June 29. “This year we are most excited by our new programming partnerships and our new home, the Airavat Picture House micro cinema,” Adhiraj added.

This year we are most excited by our new programming partnerships and our new home, the Airavat Picture House micro cinema.

— Kshitiz AdhirajFounder director of Docskool and artistic supervisor for Something Like a Film Festival, expressing enthusiasm for the current edition.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog