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Singer and composer Arjun Sapkota’s new song “Jhaliko” has been released through his official YouTube channel. The song features vocals by Sapkota along with popular singers Melina Rai and Samikshya Adhikari.

The lyrics were penned by Santosh Sapkota, with contributions from Krishna Reule and Pradeep Rodan in the hook line and ghazal sections, respectively.

The music video, based on a story by Dipa Simkhada and Bishal Ghimire, portrays the pain and struggles of Nepalis who go abroad for employment. It highlights the harsh reality of migrant workers leaving home with dreams of a better future, only to return in coffins.

Directed by Bishal Ghimire, the video stars Arjun Kusum Bhandari and Shibu Pandey in lead roles. It also features performances by Rajendra Aryal, Santosh Sapkota, Sabin Dotel, and Shreedhar Adhikari. The cinematography is by Buddha Thapa, and the video has been edited by Dinson Shah.

Christine L Mace, a black-and-white photographer based in New York City, presented her latest exhibition, Sacred City, at Mcube Gallery in Lalitpur. The showcase, which ran from Oct 26 to 30, marked her first international exhibition.

Sacred City explores authentic human experiences and the spiritual essence of daily life through natural, unposed photographs. Mace’s work centers on humanizing the “other” and capturing fleeting moments of genuine connection among people, spaces, and places.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind the series, Mace said, “After my surgery, I lost a lot of myself and realized there wasn’t much humanity left in the chaos of daily life. I began searching for a spiritual quest and wanted to document people who pray. Through Sacred City, I aim to highlight sacred and spiritual places in Nepal and across South Asia.”

She described her visit to Nepal as deeply moving: “I loved the experiences here and my work in this environment. Watching children play around temples and stupas as if they were playgrounds was wonderful—it showed how culture and daily life blend beautifully here.”

Mace draws inspiration from photographer Richard Sandler, known for capturing the soul of New York City through his street photography. In 2019, her photo series Dominoes in Havana won First Place in the Black and White Category at the 14th Julia Margaret Cameron Awards, cementing her place as a leading contemporary black-and-white photographer.

The Nepali film Hostel 3, the third installment of the popular Hostel franchise, has crossed borders and won hearts in India, marking another milestone for Nepali cinema. After achieving a record-breaking 51-day run in Nepal, the film has now replicated the same success in India.

According to Indian distributor Suraj Khadka, Hostel 3 has completed 51 consecutive days of screening at the SVF Cinema, Rink Mall in Darjeeling, where it has been showing since Sept 5. The film was distributed in India by Gorkha Film Production and Super Cinema, reaching over 50 theaters across Sikkim, Darjeeling, Siliguri, Guwahati, Assam, and Manipur.

Director Sashank Kandel expressed his delight at the film’s achievement across the border. “First of all, I want to thank Durgesh Films for trusting and permitting the production of such a large franchise,” he said. “I am equally grateful to everyone involved in production, distribution, and promotion for making this possible.”

Hostel 3 portrays the ups and downs of campus life, exploring themes of love, friendship, and struggle—making it particularly popular among the youth. The film features Paras Bam Thakuri (Kulboy), Rihan Giri, Padam Tamang, Ashish Ghimire, Simran Pant, Hena Nagarkoti, Sama Parajuli, Umar Khan, Santosh Baniya, and Ashish Purush in key roles.

The film’s writer and associate director is Madhav Sharma, with Suresh Kandel and Govinda Adhikari serving as producers. The co-producers include Shishir Gyawali, Anish Sigdel, and Kundan Gupta. Shankar Koirala is the executive producer, and Kosis Raj Kshetri worked as the line producer.

Following its commercial success, Hostel 3 is now available for streaming on Cinemaghar App. Viewers can watch the movie via Google Play Store, App Store, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, and LG WebOS, or through web browsers and Chromecast on their computers.

The first-ever Kathmandu Horror Film Festival (KHFF) concluded on Sunday evening, marking a milestone for Nepal’s film industry. Organized by the Nepal Film & Cultural Academy, the three-day festival celebrated horror cinema as a form of art and cultural expression, bringing together filmmakers and audiences from across the world. Featuring 25 films from 15 countries, KHFF showcased a powerful blend of creativity, emotion, and storytelling that pushed the boundaries of the genre and elevated Nepal’s cinematic identity on the global stage.

Academy Vice-president Shiv Puri said the festival was an effort to use film as a medium to connect culture, messages, and creativity. He noted that this event had opened the door toward achieving that goal, setting the foundation for greater collaboration between Nepali and international filmmakers.

The festival opened with Shaman, a visually mesmerizing Russian film directed by Mikhail Merzlikin, which drew viewers into the mystical world of a Siberian village where the lines between spirits and humans blur. Set on the banks of the Yenisei River, the film follows a shaman who guides villagers between the spirit and human realms from his yurt, watched over by an unseen female spirit. The screening was praised for its poetic portrayal of ritual, desire, and faith. The grand opening ceremony saw the presence of diplomats, filmmakers, and cultural figures who hailed the festival as a bold and refreshing step for Nepali cinema.

The first day of KHFF offered a journey into psychological and emotional horror. A Year of Marriage (Mexico), directed by Pablo Camargo Lopez, explored love and decay as a newlywed couple receives a mysterious creature as a wedding gift, testing the fragility of their relationship. The Leopard (India), directed by Mukti Krishan, portrayed the fear and paranoia of urban life after a leopard’s intrusion leaves a boy deeply traumatized. The day closed with Labinak (Indonesia) by Azhar Kinoi Lubis, a gripping cannibalistic horror film about a teacher who uncovers an ancient ritual tied to a powerful foundation. The film went on to win Best Feature Film at KHFF 2025.

The second day balanced international narratives with Nepali originality. Khel (Nepal), directed by Anurag Pradhan and Astha Shrestha, told the story of a group of girls revisiting their haunted dormitory to finish an unfinished game, blending friendship, guilt, and the supernatural. Another Nepali film, Down by the Riverside, directed by Anuska Anada, offered a minimalist yet haunting portrayal of a father whose peaceful day by the river turns into a surreal journey through the unknown. The Indian film Bokshi, directed by Bhargav Saikia, became one of the festival’s most talked-about screenings for its meditation on myth, superstition, and womanhood. It later received the Jury Special Award for its cultural and visual brilliance.

The final day featured two powerful titles—The Ritual (Nepal) and Foreigners Only (Bangladesh). Directed by Bishal Roka Magar, The Ritual follows a man’s rebellion against sacred traditions and the terrifying spiritual consequences that follow. Foreigners Only, directed by Nuhash Humayun, told the story of a homeless tannery owner’s desperate fight against urban discrimination in Dhaka. Its gripping metaphorical horror earned Humayun the Best Youth Filmmaker Award.

In addition to Labinak winning Best Feature Film, A Year of Marriage (Mexico) took home the Best Short Film Award, while Bokshi (India) received the Jury Special Award. The festival’s organizers expressed their satisfaction with the enthusiastic audience turnout, calling it “beyond expectations.” Viewers praised KHFF’s professional execution and its unique focus on horror as a serious cinematic art.

Over three thrilling days, KHFF captivated local and international audiences with its diversity of themes, ranging from emotional trauma to folklore and superstition. Audience members described the festival as “a hauntingly beautiful experience” and “a new identity for Nepali horror cinema.” The Nepal Film & Cultural Academy extended heartfelt thanks to sponsors, filmmakers, volunteers, and attendees for their contribution to the festival’s success.