13th Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival from December 11, Showcasing Films from 26 Countries

Kathmandu, Nepal – With the aim of bringing human rights-focused films from around the world under one platform, the 13th Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival is set to kick off in Kathmandu. The five-day festival will run from December 11 to 15, with this year’s main theme being “Child Rights.”

During the festival, 50 films from 26 countries will be screened at the halls of the Nepal Tourism Board and the Film Development Board. Many of the selected films have previously been showcased at prestigious international festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and Busan.

Highlights of the Festival:

The Cannes Film Festival 2025 Short Film Palme d’Or winner, “I Am Glad You Are Dead Now”, will be a major highlight. Co-produced by Palestine, France, and Greece, the film depicts the deep tension between two brothers caused by childhood secrets and trauma.

“Navi Lily”,  premiered at Cannes 2025, is another festival highlight. The film portrays the sudden disruption in the life of nine-year-old Lily from Yunnan Province, China, and the impact it has on her ordinary childhood.

The first feature film in Bajjika language, “Azur”, will also be screened. It tells the story of Saloni, a determined girl in rural Bihar who fights against social barriers to attend school, highlighting the importance of education.

In the feature documentary section, internationally acclaimed films such as “Red Light to Limelight” and “Shout the Voice of Freedom” will be shown. “Red Light to Limelight” explores the daily lives of sex workers in Kolkata and the hope and transformation brought to their children through film-making training. This film was nominated in two categories at the 41st IDA Awards.

Throughout the festival, 50 films from 26 countries will be screened. Additionally, During the festival, various programs such as interactive panel discussions, masterclasses, photo exhibitions, and live painting will be organized in the presence of film directors, producers, artists, and human rights activists from around the world, said Avash Rijal, General Secretary of the Nepal Human Rights Film Center.”