Submit your Article

Writer and filmmaker Raj Sargam’s short film ‘Color of Tea’ has won the Excellence Award at the Korea Gyeonggi International Film Festival for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2025. According to an announcement on the festival’s official Facebook page, the film received the top honor in the ‘Heart Section’ of the SDGs 2025 category.

The jury recognized ‘Color of Tea’ for its “minimal storytelling and deep emotional resonance,” praising its visual depiction of the quiet struggles faced by marginalized communities and its use of simple yet powerful metaphors to portray structural injustice.

The film explores the experiences of Dalit and Indigenous people from Madhes, highlighting the subtle aggressions and silent violence that perpetuate caste-based discrimination. Previously, ‘Color of Tea’ was officially selected for screening at the ‘MOD Fest–Minority Open Day 2025’ held in Podgorica, Montenegro.

Fifteen organizations that work for the welfare of the Tibetan community in exile have said that they are deeply troubled by the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival’s (KIMFF) decision to program a ‘Xizang Panorama’ section screening Chinese propaganda films. This choice represents more than a curatorial misstep—it signals how easily respected cultural institutions can become participants in China’s efforts of cultural erasure, they said in a statement.  

For over a decade, KIMFF has distinguished itself as a vital platform for mountain voices. The festival’s commitment to exploring “issues ranging from the political determination of mountain communities, to the emergence of identity politics” has made it a beacon for authentic storytelling from some of the world’s most contested landscapes. 

This year’s theme, “Fractured Voices, Framing Narratives,” promised continued dedication to amplifying those perspectives, they said. Instead, the festival has handed narrative control to the very forces seeking to silence those voices. When KIMFF programs Chinese state-sponsored narratives about Tibet, it participates—however unwittingly—in this cultural diminishment. 

The festival transforms from a platform challenging dominant narratives into an amplifier of state propaganda, legitimizing efforts to rewrite Tibetan history through a Chinese lens, they said in a statement. This represents a fundamental betrayal of the festival’s stated mission. KIMFF can scarcely claim to showcase “fractured voices” or reclaim fragile narratives while accepting uncritically the framing imposed by Communist Party power.

The ‘Miss and Mrs Royal Global Queen Nepal 2025’ beauty pageant concluded at the Rastriya Nach Ghar in Jamal, Kathmandu.

Four winners were announced in the finale. In the Miss category, Deepa Chhetri was crowned the winner, while Merita Pokharel was declared the first runner-up. In the Mrs category, Sarika Budha won the title, and Sirjana Rai secured the first runner-up position.

According to Monu Shah, Chairperson of the organizing company Shah Studio & Co Pvt Ltd, Chhetri and Budha will represent Nepal at an upcoming international competition in Malaysia, while Pokharel and Rai will participate in a pageant to be held in Mumbai.

Participants shared that the event helped boost their confidence and self-esteem. While some initially lacked confidence, organizers observed a notable increase in their self-assurance by the end of the program.

The Nepali film ‘Mahabhoj’, which was originally scheduled to release on May 29, will now hit theaters nationwide on June 13, the production team announced. The release was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, and the filmmakers have apologized to the audience for the delay. Director Dinesh Raut expressed gratitude for the patience and support shown by viewers. “We were unable to release Mahabhoj on the scheduled date due to certain special circumstances. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused,” he said.

He added that the film tells a story rooted in Nepali society and encouraged audiences to support it upon its new release date.

A preview show held in Kathmandu a few days ago drew positive feedback from attendees, who noted the film’s engaging narrative and entertainment value. The story is said to focus not only on cooperative fraud victims but also to offer broader social relevance.

‘Mahabhoj’ features performances by Dayahang Rai, Aryan Sigdel, Khagendra Lamichhane, Anjana Baraili, Malika Mahat, Gaumaya Gurung, Basundhara Bhusal, and Mohan Niraula. The film is produced by Himal Kadel under the banner of Clock Work Creation and Picture Frame.