This event has passed.

9th Nepal International Film Festival 2026

April 2 - May 4

The Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) invites filmmakers worldwide to submit their work for its 9th edition, NIFF 2026, from April 02 – 06, 2026, in Kathmandu, Nepal. NIFF is Nepal’s main annual film event. It screens a wide range of global films that are culturally significant and artistically innovative. The festival helps connect filmmakers from different countries, encourages discussions about cinema, and supports the film industry in Nepal and abroad.

Festival Programming:

Building on the success of previous years, NIFF 2026 will carry the theme “Future Forward”, with a dedicated focus on empowering young and emerging filmmakers from Nepal and around the world.

As cinema continuously evolves—thanks to breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, virtual production, immersive audio, and sustainable practices—we believe it is more important than ever to equip the next generation of storytellers with the knowledge, resources, and networks they need to shape the future of our industry. Our goal is to inspire, educate, and connect young voices, enabling them to experiment with new technologies and to craft narratives that resonate with global audiences.

NIFF’s programming is designed to reflect this ethos, and features distinct competitive and non-competitive film sections, including international and Nepali feature films, documentaries, and short films. A pioneering AI Competition also showcases films about or created using Artificial Intelligence.

Beyond screenings, NIFF offers a robust series of industry programs aimed at professional development and networking. These include practical workshops on various aspects of filmmaking, masterclasses with renowned filmmakers and industry veterans, panel discussions on current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the global and regional film industry, and dedicated networking sessions to connect filmmakers, producers, distributors, and other industry professionals. The festival also hosts Q&A sessions where audience members and peers can engage directly with filmmakers after screenings.

Alliances:

NIFF is a member of the International Federation of Film Societies (IFFS). It is also a member of the Belt & Road Film Festival Alliance (BRFFA), connecting it with a broad network of international film festivals.

NIFF provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work, connect with a global community, and contribute to international cinema from the heart of the Himalayas.

NIFF 2026 Awards under the international competition >>>>>>

Gautama Buddha Award for the Best Narrative Feature film,
Includes cash prize (1500 US$) and trophy

IFFS Don Quixote Award for the Best Narrative Feature film,
Includes a certificate

Mt. Everest Award for the Best Documentary film
Includes cash prize (1000 US$) and trophy

Bagmati Award for the Best Narrative Short film
Includes cash prize (500 US$) and trophy

Manjushree Award for the Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) film
Includes cash prize (500 US$) and trophy

Best Student Film Award (for national and international short films)
Includes cash prize (500 US$) and trophy

———–

NIFF 2026 Awards under the national competitions >>>>>>

Best National Feature film Award
Includes cash prize (1,00,000 NPR) and trophy

Best National Short film Award
Includes cash prize (50,000 NPR) and trophy

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

1. Submissions under all categories should adhere to time/duration restrictions as mentioned:

Narrative feature: Over 60 minutes
Narrative shorts: Under 30 minutes
Documentaries: Over 30 minutes

*No runtime restrictions for national productions (feature)

2. Films completed before 1st January 2024 will not qualify for festival selection. Films that have already been screened at past iterations of NIFF will also not qualify.

3. Submitted films under all competition segments must have English subtitles in them

4. All entries should adhere to the following video and audio format for the submission:

Video Container: MP4, MOV (for submission, preview), DCP for festival screening
Resolution: 1920 X 1080 or higher
Video Codec: h.264, PRORES
Audio: 2.0 Stereo, 5.1 surround

*Audio / Video formats for the festival screening will be communicated post-selection

5. Selection Committee will prioritize fresh projects with at least a Nepal Premiere status by festival date

FESTIVAL RULES:

Before submitting:

1. The film should be submitted as per the eligibility requirements. Films violating the eligibility requirements will be rejected.

2. All submissions (national/international) must be made via the online platform www.filmfreeway.com/niff2026. All associated submission fees, as mentioned, need to be paid to complete your submission.

3. All submissions must be made before the extended (final) deadline of 15th December 2025. All films submitted later than the extended deadline will be rejected.

After submitting:

1. The selection process will officially start once the submissions start rolling in. Finalists / selected films will be announced on 1st January 2026.

2. The NIFF 2026 selection committee and programmers will have full jurisdiction for the final selection. NIFF 2026 is not liable for any films that are rejected.

3. NIFF 2026 will request any official film materials/information not provided by the applicant at the time of the submission after selection. All missing materials/information, including the festival screener (DCP for final screening) for the selected film, must be submitted to the NIFF 2026 programmers before 31st January 2026. Failure to do this will result in the rejection of the selected films.

NOTE: All selected films must ensure the delivery of the following information relating to said films before 31st January 2026:

a. Full press kit/info kit (must include a synopsis, posters, credits, director’s bio, statement and pictures, trailer/teaser, previous awards and accolades, and any other additional information relevant to the film)

b. A DCP screener can be mailed physically or sent over the Internet.
For mail: P.O. BOX 7335, General Post Office, Dillibazaar, Kathmandu, Nepal

4. NIFF 2026 will securely archive all films received and not use them in any commercial or non-commercial venture except for screening during the 2026 festival. NIFF may also utilize the provided film info/materials for promotional works in NIFF 2026. Promotions may involve being shared over social media, printed at the festival venue, or cited/utilized by the media in relation to screening at the festival.

5. All applicants should agree that once films are selected and the selection published, they will be screened to a live audience in Kathmandu Valley. Applicants should also agree that selected films will be screened at more than one venue during the festival’s duration.

6. NIFF has no policy to pay screening fees for selected films.

7. By submitting their films, applicants agree to all the rules and criteria mentioned above and agree to remain bound.

SUBMISSIONS OPEN TILL DECEMBER 15, 2025

Details

Start:: April 2
End:: May 4