To mark the 10th anniversary of the Ulsan Ulju Mountain Film Festival (UMFF), we are once again welcoming “Hima- laya – NEPAL,” previously featured in 2018. We extend our sincere thanks to the Embassy of Nepal in Korea and the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) for their invaluable support.

The Himalayas remain a symbol of adventure for mountaineers and trekkers worldwide—a dream destination for many. Nepal, still holding a sense of mystery and allure, offers limited opportunities for Korean audiences to engage with its cinema. However, its film industry is steadily growing, gaining international recognition and expanding its global presence.

This year’s “Himalaya – NEPAL” program includes three commercial hits, internationally acclaimed films, and the “Nepal Panorama” section curated with KIMFF, featuring two features and three shorts. We hope this special showcase offers a rare opportunity to meet celebrated actors Dayahang Rai and Miruna Magar, and to experience the richness of Nepalese culture and tradition.

― Jinna Lee, Programmer

*Now in its 22nd year, KIMFF is Asia's first mountain film festival. It brings a wide range of mountain and nature films from around the world to Nepalese audiences, while serving as a global platform for sharing stories of the Himalayas and Nepalese mountain culture. KIMFF has been a strong advocate for Nepalese independent cinema and recently launched a Kathmandu Doc Lab program to further promote regional independent filmmaking. In 2024, KIMFF co-hosted the UMFFsummit special program and contributed to this year’s Guest Country “Himalaya – NEPAL” by curating the “Nepal Panorama” section.

KIMFF is proud to present the “Nepal Panorama”, a program designed to share the diverse identities and authentic stories of Nepal and hopes to foster deeper cultural understanding and human connection.

Sanai follows two teenage girls from different castes who defy social norms to pursue their love of music, highlighting the power of courage, empathy, and solidarity. Songs of Love and Hate explores the emotional ripples caused by the sudden disappearance of a beloved radio host, revealing the fragility of love and life through those left behind. The Witness Tree is a quiet yet powerful coming-of-age story about a boy growing up in a rural village haunted by past wounds and family secrets. Snow Leopard Sisters documents the courageous conservation journey of two young women in the remote Dolpo region, as they strive to protect endangered wildlife—prompting reflection on nature, gender, and community. Finally, Diversity Plaza offers an intimate look into the daily lives of Nepali and Himalayan immigrants in Jackson Heights, New York, within a richly multicultural setting.

― Ramyata Limbu, KIMFF​