Chasing the Dream selected at Shimla International Film Festival

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Aug.13: The documentary "Chasing the Dream," directed by journalist Pradip Pokhrel, has been selected for the International Film Festival of Shimla, India, scheduled to run from August 14 to 16 in Himachal Pradesh.

The film festival of this year is the 10th edition. It has been mentioned on the official website of the film festival that Films, documentaries and short films from 123 nations have been selected for the competition. 

The protagonist of Pokharel's documentary Chasing the Dream is Lakpa Dhundup Lama and it revolves around the context of his return to his homeland after a long foreign stay. Chasing the Dream" follows the life of Lakpa Dhundup Lama, who returns to his native village after spending years abroad. Originally from Namrung village in Chumanubri Rural Municipality, North Gorkha, Nepal, Lakpa left for Kathmandu in his youth in search of better opportunities. After some years in Kathmandu, he moved to Singapore, where he worked for nearly 17 years, traveling to over 50 countries during his career.

The documentary captures Lakpa's return to his village after two decades, where he confronts the challenges faced by his community. Moved by the poor conditions of the villagers, he decides to stay and spearhead the development of tourism in the northern region of Gorkha, particularly around the Manaslu area.

While abroad, the lama of Serang Gumba, a revered pilgrimage site in the region, passed away. After Lakpa’s return, the Lama Guru reincarnates and comes back to the monastery, attracting thousands of villagers to Serang Gumba in celebration. Inspired by these events, Lakpa commits to staying in the village and launching new initiatives.

Lakpa starts a cultural preservation campaign, establishing a Himalayan museum and gathering thousands of traditional artefacts. He also launches the Nubri Four Seasons Resort, located on the renowned Manaslu trekking trail, offering guests a unique experience of Himalayan art, culture, and lifestyle.

To address the growing impacts of climate change in the Himalayas, Lakpa plants apple trees across 40 acres of land and encourages villagers to do the same. The orchard, now a thriving tourist attraction, has also become a source of livelihood for the villagers, producing apple brandy and various apple-based dishes. His efforts have not only revived the local economy but also proved that it is possible to earn a living while staying in the village, a central theme in "Chasing the Dream."

This is the 12th documentary of Pokharel that has been selected for the International Film Festival.  His directorial debut was 'In God's Heart Land' got premiered in the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) in 2009, followed by Snow Leopard Scout in 2014. His,' Rising For Epicentre' even won the award in 2015. 

A song for Barpak won the ICIMOD West Mountain Film Award in 2016 and was selected for the renowned DMZ International Documentary Film Festival of South Korea as well. It also won the best documentary award at the Dhaka International Film Festival in Bangladesh.

The documentary, the Post Earthquake Revolt in the Himalayas was also selected for KIMFF IN 2018. The documentary Snow Leopard which is about the conservation of Snow Leopard, won an award in the Sauraha South Asia Film Festival in January 2024. In addition, his documentaries have been selected for dozens of film festivals in Europe and Asia, and earning him multiple awards.

Of the 12 documentaries,  many have bagged the International Award and along with notable selections in National and international film Festivals. 

In God’s Heart- Land 2008, Pokharel is Director and Producer, has been selected in the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival, KIMFF. Shambala : A Story of Paradise Lost 2011, Researcher (Director Fidel Devkota) has been selected in KIMFF. Snow Leopard Scouts 2014, Director and Cinematography, has been selected FOR KIMFF, PIMFF, and a Rising From Epicenter 2015, Director and Producer, has been selected in Nepal Human rights International Film Festival, Mostra Film Festival.

The Age Bar 2015, Director and Producer, have been selected for the 60-second short film Festival, Little Joys 2015, Cinematography and Producer (Director Kamala Pokhrel) has been selected in the 60-second short film Festival, Un Thanks Friend 2015, Director and Cinematography, has been selected for Nepal Indipanded film Festival, NIFF. 

A Song for Barpak 2016, Director and Producer, has been selected for KIMFF, DMZ International Film Festival, Dhaka International Film Festival, Pokhara International Film Festival, Yala International Film Festival. A Great Teacher 2016, Director and Producer, has been selected for NIFF and the Post-Earthquake, Rebuild in The Himalaya 2018, Director and Cinematography have been selected for KIMF. 

Likewise, for Snow Leopard 2023, the Director and Cinematography, have been selected for the Sauraha South Asia Film Festival and Selected Nepal Rural Film Festival and lastly Chasing the Dream 2024 Director and Cinematography have been selected for Festival: International Film Festival of Shimla, India.