Anjila selected for 98th Academy Awards

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 19: Nepal has officially selected the feature film ‘Anjila’ for the International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars), to be held in 2026.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscar) International Feature Film Selection Committee (Nepal) announced the decision through a press release on Thursday.

According to committee chairperson Bimal Paudel, two Nepali feature films ‘Gunyo Cholo: The Dress’ and ‘Anjila’ were submitted for consideration this year for Oscars from Nepal.  

Directed by Milan Chams, ‘Anjila’ has already ranked among the top five highest-grossing Nepali films of 2081 BS. 

The film was also honoured by the Film Development Board, Nepal (FDB), as the 17th highest-grossing Nepali film to date, on the occasion of FDB’s 25th anniversary.

 According to the FDB’s box office report, the film earned Rs. 88.3 million at the Nepali box office. 

Based on the life story of national women’s football player Anjila Tumbapo Subba, the film received wide acclaim in Nepal.

On the other hand, Gunyo Cholo: The Dress, directed by Samundra Bhatta, tells the story of the transgender community and how society perceives them and their struggle for identity. Actor Najir Husen played the role of a transgender character in the film. 

According to the press release, after a thorough evaluation of its technical aspects, storytelling, emotional depth of characters, and artistic presentation, ‘Anjila’ was selected as Nepal’s official entry for the Academy Awards this year.

The 98th Academy Awards (Oscars) will be held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, USA.