Ahuri Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and Pratiphal Films' Nepali short film is named an Official Selection in the Best National Cultural Film category
Festival Selection at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival | Nepal Cultural International Film Festival 2027 |
| Category | Best National Cultural Film |
| Submission date | September 14, 2026 |
| Status | Selected |
| Festival date | January 30, 2027 |
| Location | Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal |
The film was submitted through FilmFreeway, and the festival confirmed the selection by official notification. An Official Selection means the film has been chosen for inclusion in the festival program. Awards will be announced by the festival at its event.
About the Film
Through a simple but powerful story, the film explores poverty, family bonds, sacrifice, dignity, and the true meaning of Bhai Tika.
Director's Vision
Director Bishal Lohane describes the film as an attempt to portray the quiet struggles of ordinary people in rural Nepal with honesty, simplicity, and emotion, without exaggeration. The contrast between the joy that Tihar represents and the pain of poverty forms the emotional foundation of the story.
"Katha Garibko" is not only a film about poverty. It is a film about human dignity, family, sacrifice, love, and the emotional meaning of home. In the director's words, the aim is to give a cinematic voice to those whose stories are often unseen.
Analysis: What Makes the Film Stand Out
A story built on contrast. Tihar is a festival of love and family. By showing it through the eyes of a poor family, the film gives audiences a familiar celebration from an unfamiliar and deeply human angle.
Setting as storytelling. The film was shot in the village of Chitre, Parbat, a place known for its natural beauty and tourism. The director deliberately let the landscape become part of the film's visual language. The beauty of the setting sharpens the hardship the characters face.
Social realism with restraint. Classified as Drama, Social, Family, and Social Realism, the film relies on authentic characters and a simple narrative rather than spectacle. It trusts its audience to feel the story.
Independent filmmaking at its core. Bishal Lohane directed the film and also contributed to the screenplay, cinematography, editing, and the poster and trailer design. This hands-on approach reflects the spirit of independent Nepali cinema, where limited resources are met with commitment and creativity.
Rooted in community. The film brings together local actors, writers, co-producers, and technicians, and it grew from the community it portrays.
Technical and Production Details
- Runtime: 27 minutes 25 seconds
- Language: Nepali
- Format: Digital, color, 16:9
- Country of origin and filming: Nepal
- Digital Cinema Package (DCP): Available
- Director: Bishal Lohane
- Producer: Rimati Khorja Pun
- Writers: Mahendra Bishwakarma, Laxmi Bishwakarma, Bishal Lohane
- Co-producers: Mahendra Bishwakarma, Thaman Singh Purja Pun, Ram Prasad Sharma
- Key cast: Mahendra BK (Chitreli Sailo), Thaman Singh Purja Pun, Saru Bishwakarma, Rashmika Khatri, Suraj Pariyar, Bharat RD, Raj Kumar BC, Arjun Thapa
- Camera, editing, poster and trailer: Bishal Lohane
- Background music: Pramod Pariyar
- Dubbing: Lal Bahadur Purja
- Production: Ahuri Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. | Pratiphal Films
The Film's Journey
- November 10, 2021: The film had its premiere as a Tihar special local screening in Chitre, Parbat.
- December 24, 2021: It received a Special Screening and Recognition at the First Dhaulagiri Film Festival 2021 in Kushma, Parbat.
- September 2026: The film was submitted to the Nepal Cultural International Film Festival 2027.
- October 2026: The film was officially selected.
The journey from a village screening to a national festival shows how local stories, told sincerely, can travel far beyond where they began.
About the Director
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Bishal Lohane is a Nepali filmmaker, writer, director, editor, and creative artist dedicated to telling meaningful stories rooted in Nepali society, culture, and human emotion. His work explores social realities, family relationships, poverty, spirituality, mythology, fantasy, and the struggles of ordinary people. He has created feature films, short films, animated projects, and digital film content, and he works through Ahuri Entertainment and Pratiphal Films. He was also involved in organizing the First Dhaulagiri Film Festival 2021, an initiative to promote Nepali cinema, local filmmakers, culture, and tourism in the Dhaulagiri region.
About Ahuri Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and Pratiphal Films
Ahuri Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and Pratiphal Films are independent production houses committed to authentic Nepali storytelling. "Katha Garibko" is distributed by the companies themselves, with worldwide rights.
What's Next
As the festival approaches, the team is coordinating with the organizers on screening details, technical requirements, and attendance. Updates, posters, and trailers will be shared on the Ahuri Entertainment website and on Pratiphal Films' social media channels.
For press and festival inquiries, contact Ahuri Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. through this website.
Sources: Katha Garibko – FilmFreeway
Links
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt46066721/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
- FilmFreeway (Filmmaker Profile): https://filmfreeway.com/KathaGaribko
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bishallohani
Websites
- Ahuri Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.: www.ahurientertainment.com.np
- Pratiphal Films(Youtube): www.youtube.com/PratiphalFilms
- Dhaulagiri Film Festival(blog): www.dhaulagirifilmfestival.blogspot.com
- Bishal Lohane (official): www.bishallohane.com.np
Contact
- Bishal Lohane: bishallohane@gmail.com or abishallohani@gmail.com
