As Nepali Cinema Expands, Film Schools Face Both Challenges and Opportunities

 Nepali cinema has come a long way since the release of Satya Harischandra in 1951, often regarded as the country’s first film—though there’s some debate over whether it qualifies, as it was originally made in Hindi and later dubbed into Nepali.

In the early years, Nepali films were often criticized for imitating Bollywood, but that’s no longer the case. Today, more films are rooted in local culture and are gaining international recognition at film festivals. Meanwhile, formal film education is also gaining traction, with institutions like Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, and Oscar International College (established in 2005) offering academic degrees in film.

Film Education on the Rise

Despite this growth, the importance and quality of film education in Nepal have not been widely discussed. That changed on July 8 during the Chalachitra Conference, where a panel titled “Nurturing Nepali Cinema: Conversation on Film Education” took a deep dive into the current state of film education.

Manoj Babu Pant, a filmmaker and teacher at Oscar International College, said a good film school should teach both the technical and creative aspects of filmmaking. He emphasized the need to expose students to global cinema while grounding them in the context of Nepali film.

Filmmaker Sikuma Rai, who has studied film in both Nepal and abroad, highlighted the lack of course variety in Nepal. In contrast, international schools offer courses in areas like sound design, VR, and script adaptation—opportunities largely unavailable in Nepal.

“The greatest freedom I felt abroad was the wide range of learning options,” Rai said. She also appreciated the access to film festivals and industry conversations while studying overseas, which enriched her understanding of contemporary cinema.

Facing the Gaps

Ngima Gelu Lama, a filmmaker and lecturer at Kathmandu University, echoed similar concerns. Having studied abroad through the Kino Eyes master's program in fiction film direction, he noted that Nepal’s film schools still lack advanced, specialized programs due to limited infrastructure.

Actor Miruna Magar, who does not have a formal film degree, said she learned on the job from directors and crews. Still, she expressed regret at not attending film school, especially after hearing from peers about the struggle to apply theory in real-world situations.

Pant acknowledged that this gap exists. “Students often find it hard to use what they’ve learned in the classroom due to job insecurity and limited market opportunities,” he said.

He also pointed out a major gap in Nepal’s film curriculum—training in production and production design. Attempts to launch such courses have failed due to a lack of skilled teachers and resources.

Lama emphasized that internships, like those required at Kathmandu University, are essential to bridge the gap between education and the film industry.

Debating the Value of Film School

Not everyone agrees on the need for film school. Some filmmakers believe practical experience outweighs formal education. Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, for example, once said, “Don’t go to film school. Anyone who goes to film school is doomed for failure.”

Yet, Magar disagreed. She said film school teaches students to work professionally and understand the ethics of a film set. Rai added that beyond technical training, film schools help students develop perspective and cultural awareness.

Pant sees film school as a rare space for creative freedom and collaboration. “It’s where people come together, fail safely, and learn by doing—something that’s hard to find elsewhere,” he said.

Looking Ahead

While the Nepali film industry continues to grow and diversify, so too does interest in film education. Despite limited resources and ongoing challenges, the increasing number of film students, institutions, and discussions like this panel show that Nepal is starting to take film education more seriously.

The path forward may not be perfect, but for many in the industry, it’s a step in the right direction.