Ministers welcome ‘Elephants in the Fog’ troupe home

Kathmandu, May 26: The team of the Nepali film ‘Elephants in the Fog’ returned home after achieving a historic milestone at the world-famous Cannes Film Festival in France on Monday morning. 

The team, including director Abinash Bikram Shah, producer Anup Paudel, and actress Pushpa Thing Lama, was welcomed with traditional Naumati Baja and flower garlands at Tribhuvan International Airport.

The welcome ceremony was attended by the Minister for Information and Communication, Dr. Bikram Timilsina, the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Khadak Raj Paudel, the Chairperson of the Film Development Board, Dinesh DC, Senior Manager of the Nepal Tourism Board, Surya Thapaliya, representatives from 14 film-related associations and organisations, as well as filmmakers and journalists. Office bearers and executive members of the Film Directors’ Society and the Actors’ Association also participated in the event, carrying banners.

The two ministers, Timilsina and Paudel, congratulated the film team, stating that this achievement has allowed the entire Nepali film industry and Nepali culture to feel proud on the international stage.

The Minister for Information and Communication, Dr. Timilsina, said that the government will move forward with policies to encourage films with alternative and diverse themes, while the Minister for Culture and Tourism, Paudel, said that filmmakers are unofficial cultural ambassadors of the country.

The Ministry of Information and Communication has planned to organise a special programme soon to honour the film ensemble.

The Film Development Board has also announced that it will hold a felicitation programme this week, awarding the team Rs. 250,000 along with recognition.

The film ‘Elephants in the Fog’ won the Jury Award under the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival 2026. 

According to a press release issued by the Film Development Board (FDB), this achievement is regarded as a historic milestone in the Nepali film industry, as it is the first Nepali feature film to reach the official Cannes selection.

In addition, the film also received the Prix de la Meilleure Creation Sonore 2026 (Best Sound Creation Award). This honour was presented by La Semaine du Son under the Un Certain Regard section.

The award was based on the film’s strong sonic identity, rhythm, musicality, and emotional impact.

This year, for the first time, an official Nepali pavilion was established at the Cannes Film Festival through the collaboration of the Nepal Tourism Board and the Film Development Board.

However, due to stricter government policies regarding foreign visits, representatives from both boards could not be sent directly, and the pavilion was managed through a local partner.

The achievement of ‘Elephants in the Fog’ has given new confidence to Nepali cinema on the international stage.

Along with the awards and honours, the film received an over eight-minute standing ovation following its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section. Many international media outlets wrote about the film and its team.

This year, Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, also attended the Cannes Film Festival. She wore traditional Newari attire at one of the festival events.

Actor Pradeep Khadka and director Pradeep Shahi also attended the Cannes Film Festival. They were there at the Marché du Film (Cannes Film Market) to promote and negotiate international distribution for their upcoming sci-fi film Eklo.

Likewise, Bhupendra Khanal and his wife Sneh Sharma, founders of Dogsee Chew, made their appearance on the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival, showcasing and representing the growing global pet wellness industry.