Overview
The Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) is Nepal's main annual international film event. The 9th edition took place April 2-6, 2026 in Kathmandu, themed "Future Forward: Rooted in Memory, Moving Forward." The festival screened 88 films from 40 countries across five days of screenings and discussions, with 18 awards presented at the closing ceremony held at QFX Civil Mall, Sundhara, Kathmandu.
NIFF accepts submissions in four categories: Narrative Feature (60-120 minutes), Documentary (over 30 minutes), Short Film (under 30 minutes), and Student Short Film. Submissions are made exclusively through FilmFreeway. The 2026 submission deadlines were: Early Bird August 15, 2025; Standard October 15, 2025; Extended (final) December 15, 2025. Notification date was January 15, 2026. National competition entries for narrative features are free.
The top prize is the Gautama Buddha Award for Best Feature Film in international competition, carrying a cash prize of USD 1,500. The Best National Feature Film receives USD 1,000. NIFF does not pay screening fees for selected films, and filmmakers are responsible for DCP screener delivery, travel, and accommodation.
Submission Details
Submissions are made through FilmFreeway. Key details for the 2026 edition:
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Submission Platform | FilmFreeway |
| Early Bird Deadline | August 15, 2025 |
| Standard Deadline | October 15, 2025 |
| Extended (Final) Deadline | December 15, 2025 |
| Notification Date | January 15, 2026 |
| Festival Dates | April 2-6, 2026 |
| Venue | QFX Civil Mall, Sundhara, Kathmandu |
| Feature Film Runtime | 60-120 minutes |
| Documentary Runtime | Over 30 minutes |
| Short Film Runtime | Under 30 minutes |
| Eligibility Window | Films produced after January 1, 2024 |
| Premiere Requirement | Nepal premiere preferred; films screened before are not eligible |
| Subtitles | English subtitles required for all competition films |
| Screening Fees | NIFF does not pay screening fees |
Submission fees are listed on the FilmFreeway page and vary by category, deadline, and FilmFreeway membership status. Based on historical NIFF submissions, fees have ranged from USD 10 for early bird short films to USD 25 for late deadline features. National competition entries for narrative features are free. All fees must be paid to complete submission. Films submitted after the extended deadline are rejected.
Competition Categories and Awards
NIFF 2026 presented 18 awards across international, national, and South Asian competition sections:
International Competition
- Gautama Buddha Award - Best Feature Film - USD 1,500. 2026 winner: "Pooja, Sir" directed by Deepak Rauniyar (Nepal)
- Mt. Everest Award - Best Documentary Film - USD 1,000. 2026 winner: "The Ground Beneath Our Feet" directed by Yrsa Roca Fannberg (Iceland and Poland)
- Bagmati Award - Best Live Action Short Film - USD 500. 2026 winner: "Sheep" directed by Hadi Babaeifar (Iran)
- Manjushree Award - Best AI-themed Short Film - USD 500. 2026 winner: "Spirit of the Mountain" directed by Pang Jia (China)
- Best Student Film Award - USD 500. 2026 winner: "Passarinho" directed by Natalia Gracia Agraz (Mexico)
- IFFS Don Quixote Award - Best Feature Film - certificate. 2026 winner: "My Daughter's Hair" directed by Hesam Farahmand (Iran)
- Special Jury Mention (International Feature) - 2026: "The Shore of Life" (China)
National Competition (Nepal)
- Best National Feature Film Award - USD 1,000. 2026 winner: "Gunyo Cholo (The Dress)" directed by Samundra Bhatta
- Best Director (National) - 2026 winner: Samundra Bhatta for "Gunyo Cholo (The Dress)"
- Best Actor, Male (National) - 2026 winner: Najir Husen for "Gunyo Cholo (The Dress)"
- Best Actor, Female (National) - 2026 winner: Surakshya Panta for "Koshedhunga"
- Best Screenwriter (National) - 2026 winner: Deependra Gauchan for "Missing: Girl Lost Notice"
- Best Cinematographer (National) - 2026 winner: Babu Shrestha for "Koshedhunga"
- Best National Documentary - NPR 50,000. 2026 winner: "Home is Not a Place" directed by Lhakpa Choedon Lama
- Best National Short Film - NPR 50,000. 2026 winner: "Rihana" directed by Suraj Paudel
South Asian Competition
- Best South Asian Feature Film - USD 500. 2026 winner: "Jaar" directed by Phurba Tshiring Lama (Nepal and India)
Special Mentions
- Special Mention (National Documentary) - "As Day Goes By" directed by Ngima Gelu Sherpa
- Special Mention (International Short Film) - "Housekeeper" (India)
Festival History
The Nepal International Film Festival held its first edition in 2018. The festival was established to provide Nepal with a general international film festival platform, complementing the more specialized Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF). NIFF has run annually since its founding, with the 8th edition in March 2025 and the 9th in April 2026.
The festival is organized by the Nepal Film and Cultural Academy. NIFF has grown in scope each year, with the 2026 edition screening 88 films from 40 countries. The festival venues have included QFX Civil Mall in Sundhara and the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts.
Nepal's film industry, known as Kollywood, produces Nepali-language films for domestic audiences. NIFF provides the primary international platform for Nepali cinema alongside its international competition program. The South Asian competition section highlights films from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Himalayan nations.
What Filmmakers Should Know
Premiere Status
NIFF prioritizes films with at least Nepal Premiere status by the festival date. Films that have been screened publicly before are not eligible. This premiere requirement is strict, meaning filmmakers should plan their festival circuit strategy carefully.
Eligibility
Films must have been produced after January 1, 2024 for the 2026 edition. All competition films must have English subtitles. The festival accepts feature films (60-120 minutes), documentaries (over 30 minutes), and short films (under 30 minutes). Student short films have a dedicated category. There are no runtime restrictions for national productions in the narrative feature category.
For Nepali Filmmakers
NIFF is the most important domestic international platform for Nepali cinema. The national competition section provides significant recognition within Nepal, with the Best National Feature winner receiving USD 1,000 and additional craft awards.
For International Filmmakers
NIFF offers international filmmakers exposure in the South Asian market. The international competition includes feature films, documentaries, short films, student films, and a dedicated AI-themed short film category. The USD 1,500 top prize is modest by international standards but the festival provides access to Kathmandu's growing film community.
Past Winners
The 9th edition (2026) awarded the Gautama Buddha Award for Best Feature Film to Pooja, Sir (Rajaganj), directed by Deepak Rauniyar (Nepal). The film premiered at Venice 2024 in the Orizzonti competition and received sales to ARP Selection (France), Trigon-film (Switzerland, Germany, Austria), and Channel 4 (UK). Rauniyar's earlier feature White Sun (2016) won awards at Venice, Palm Springs, Fribourg, and Singapore.
Best National Feature went to Gunyo Cholo (The Dress) directed by Samundra Bhatta, which also won Best Director and Best Actor (Najir Husen). The film dominated the national competition with 3 awards. Best South Asian Feature went to Jaar (Phurba Tshiring Lama, Nepal and India).
The 8th edition (2025) screened 87 films from 40 countries. Historical winners include Dictionary (Best Feature, 2021) and Bulbul (Best National Feature, 2020).
Notable Alumni Films
Pooja, Sir (2024) stands as the most internationally recognized NIFF winner. The film premiered at Venice 2024, played Busan, Hamburg, and MAMI Mumbai, and secured distribution across France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and the UK. Anurag Kashyap joined as executive producer. The film faced censorship delays in Nepal before its March 2025 theatrical release.
White Sun (2016), Rauniyar's second feature, won the Venice Film Festival Interfaith Award and played Locarno. His debut Highway (2012) premiered at the Berlinale. Both films screened at NIFF, establishing the festival's connection to Nepal's most internationally recognized director.
Shambala (2024), directed by Min Bham, became the first Nepali feature selected for Berlinale Main Competition and later played Locarno Piazza Grande. The film represents the growing international profile of Nepali cinema that NIFF aims to support.
Submission Tips
- Prioritize Nepal premiere status. NIFF rejects films that have screened publicly in Nepal before the festival date. Plan your South Asian circuit accordingly.
- Submit to the South Asian Competition if your film comes from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, or Himalayan nations. This regional category receives fewer submissions than the international section.
- The AI-themed short film category (Manjushree Award, USD 500) is a distinctive offering. If your short film integrates AI technology, this category has less competition than the general short film section.
- Student filmmakers should enter the dedicated Student Film category rather than the general short film competition. The separate category reduces competition from professional filmmakers.
- English subtitles are mandatory for all competition films. Budget for professional subtitling before submission.
- NIFF does not pay screening fees. Factor the cost of DCP delivery and potential travel into your festival budget.
Industry Reputation Notes
NIFF is a cultural exchange festival, not an industry market. No buyers, sales agents, or distribution deals originate here. The USD 1,500 top prize is modest by international standards.
The festival's value lies in access to the South Asian film community and the Nepali market. Bollywood connections matter: the 2026 opening ceremony hosted director Ramesh Sippy (Sholay). NIFF also runs 10 interactive panel discussions during the festival.
Compared to KIMFF (Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival), NIFF is broader in scope. KIMFF focuses on mountain and adventure cinema, while NIFF programs all genres. KIMFF has a longer track record (founded 2000 vs. 2018) and stronger international documentary connections.
Compared to the Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI), NIFF is much smaller and less industry-focused. MAMI attracts over 200 industry delegates and runs a co-production market. NIFF offers none of that infrastructure but provides a less crowded platform for South Asian films.
See Also
For the mountain-focused Kathmandu festival, see Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival. Calculate your total festival submission costs using the Festival ROI Calculator. For South Asian cinema context, see International Film Markets. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy. Submit through the NIFF FilmFreeway page or visit the official NIFF website.
