“Nepal, a land of stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, has long captured the hearts of filmmakers around the world. Its majestic mountains, vibrant cities, and serene rural settings provide an unparalleled backdrop for storytelling, making it a sought-after destination for foreign films.”

Nepal, with its stunning vistas and rich cultural tapestry, has served as the backdrop for numerous foreign films over the years. Here’s a look at 35 prominent films that utilized the enchanting beauty of Nepal in their storytelling.

1. The Last Resort (2006)

The documentary film “The Last Resort,” directed by The Lam, intimately captures the profound effects of the 2002 massacre on a sleepy Himalayan resort. Brimming with emotion, it sheds light on individual resilience amidst tragedy.

2. The Himalayas (2015)

“The Himalayas,” directed by Babu Bhandari, tells the inspiring tale of climbers who face both physical and emotional challenges while attempting to conquer some of the world’s highest peaks. The film beautifully showcases the majestic landscapes of Nepal.

3. Little Buddha (1993)

In “Little Buddha,” directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, the life of a modern-day boy intertwines with the ancient tale of Siddhartha Gautama. Filmed in both Bhutan and Nepal, the movie highlights the spiritual journey against breathtaking backdrops.

4. Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, “Seven Years in Tibet” is a powerful drama that follows the journey of an Austrian mountaineer who befriends the Dalai Lama during a tumultuous time in Tibetan history. Shot in the artistic highlands of Nepal, it exemplifies the region’s unique culture.

5. Kedarnath (2018)

“Kedarnath,” directed by Abhishek Kapoor, combines romance with the emotional turmoil caused by the devastating floods in India. With captivating visuals from Nepal, the film immerses viewers in both love and disaster.

6. Caravan (1988)

This heartwarming film, directed by Emir Kusturica, follows a group of Tibetan nomads as they navigate their lives intertwined with Western travelers. It beautifully captures the essence of their culture amid picturesque landscapes in Nepal.

7. Doctor Strange (2016)

Marvel’s “Doctor Strange,” directed by Scott Derrickson, features stunning visuals of Nepal’s ancient temples as Doctor Strange searches for healing after a life-altering accident. The film intertwines action and spiritual exploration against a remarkable backdrop.

8. Samsara (2001)

Directed by Ron Fricke, “Samsara” is a unique visual journey that explores the cycle of life throughout various cultures, including illuminating scenes shot in Nepal that showcase its spiritual depth and natural beauty.

9. The Escape (2008)

In “The Escape,” directed by Ruairi Robinson, a man finds himself caught in a harrowing situation while navigating the treacherous terrains of Nepal. The film combines action with the awe-inspiring vistas of the region for an intense viewing experience.

10. The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)

This biographical drama, directed by Matthew Brown, tells the story of the mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, utilizing captivating scenes from Nepal to showcase Ramanujan’s cultural origins and journey.

11. Highway to Dhampus (2014)

In “Highway to Dhampus,” a romantic comedy-drama directed by Rick McFarland, an American woman embarks on a journey to Nepal. Shot amidst the stunning countryside, the film captures the essence of culture and adventure.

12. Everest (2015)

This thrilling drama, directed by Baltasar Kormákur, depicts the harrowing 1996 Mount Everest disaster, showcasing Nepal’s grandeur as climbers face the ultimate challenge against nature’s brutal beauty.

13. Yes Man (2008)

In the comedy “Yes Man,” directed by Peyton Reed, Jim Carrey’s character embarks on a life-changing journey filled with adventures—including scenic detours through the vibrant landscapes of Nepal.

14. Beyond the Edge (2013)

“Beyond the Edge,” a documentary directed by Leanne Pooley, follows climbers facing immense challenges on Everest. It captures both the emotional journey and the breathtaking scenery of the Himalayas.

15. The Deadly Connection (2008)

A gripping thriller, “The Deadly Connection,” directed by V.K. Handa, tells the thrilling tale of a man’s quest for redemption while navigating the stunning landscapes of Nepal’s mountains.

16. The Golden Compass (2007)

The fantasy adventure “The Golden Compass,” directed by Chris Weitz, features breathtaking shots of Nepal that evoke a mystical aura in its grand narrative of parallel universes.

17. Himalaya (1999)

Directed by Eric Valli, “Himalaya” presents a realistic portrayal of life in a remote village, focusing on the cultural dynamics and breathtaking mountain landscapes of the region.

18. Buddha (2010)

“Buddha,” directed by Franz Kafka, narrates the life of Siddhartha Gautama, employing the rich landscapes of Nepal to enhance the film’s spiritual themes.

19. Wildlife (2019)

“Wildlife,” a documentary directed by Scott H. McPherson, invites viewers on a fascinating exploration of nature’s wonders, including stunning visuals of Nepal’s diverse wildlife and landscapes.

20. Rocky Handsome (2016)

This action-thriller, directed by Nishikant Kamat, showcases Kathmandu as an urban battleground. With high-stakes drama and pulse-pounding action, it reflects the vitality of the city.

21. Ghost Stories (2020)

The recently released horror film “Ghost Bride,” directed by Chito Rono, features scenes filmed in Nepal, intertwining modern tales with traditional folklore about ghost marriages, and is set to enthrall audiences later this year.

22. Black Narcissus (1947)

Directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, “Black Narcissus” tells the story of nuns establishing a convent in the Himalayas. The film presents themes of temptation against stunning visuals.

23. A World Beyond (2016)

This thought-provoking sci-fi film directed by Richard Wong explores philosophical themes alongside stunning shots of Nepal’s landscapes, which act as a vital character in the narrative.

24. Gods of Egypt (2016)

Directed by Alex Proyas, this fantasy adventure features incredible scenes filmed in Nepal, blending action and myth with breathtaking locations.

25. The Silent World (1956)

A groundbreaking underwater documentary directed by Jacques Cousteau, it showcases the beauty of the oceans alongside momentous beginnings in Nepal’s natural landscapes.

26. The Amazing Race (TV Series)

This popular reality show frequently features Nepal, showcasing the country’s vibrant culture and dramatic scenery as contestants race through various challenges.

27. Kesari (2019)

The historical drama “Kesari,” directed by Anurag Singh, depicts the Battle of Saragarhi with powerful storytelling, beautifully illustrated by the rugged landscapes of Nepal.

28. Everest: A Climb for the Ages (2018)

A gripping documentary that explores the engineering and human resilience behind climbing Mount Everest, displaying stunning visuals of Nepal’s majestic peaks.

29. The Incredible Journey (2016)

A family adventure that tells the heartwarming journey of three pets, with scenes highlighting the natural beauty of Nepal’s rural landscapes.

30. Free Solo (2018)

This documentary follows climber Alex Honnold’s journey to climb El Capitan without ropes. Stunning footage of Nepal’s majestic mountains intersperses the gripping narrative.

31. The Other Side of Everest (2008)

An insightful documentary that delves into the perilous endeavors of climbers attempting Everest, portraying the awe-inspiring scenery of the mountain range.

32. The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)

This family-oriented fantasy film includes beautiful scenes shot in Nepal, exploring legendary tales and folklore amid picturesque landscapes.

33. K2: Siren of Death (1991)

A thriller directed by Lewis Teague, this film focuses on survival in the mountains, with scenes filmed in the challenging terrains of Nepal, adding to its intensity.

34. Touching the Void (2003)

In this gripping retelling directed by Kevin Macdonald, climbers face life-or-death struggles. The film features stunning sequences shot in the breathtaking spaces of the Himalayas.

35. Into Thin Air (1997)

A dramatic depiction of the 1996 Everest disaster, directed by Robert Markowitz, compellingly captures the danger and beauty of Nepal’s revered peaks.

As we celebrate the beauty and cinematic potential of Nepal, Liberty Films extends an invitation to filmmakers around the globe. With our stunning landscapes, diverse cultures, and rich narratives, Nepal is the ideal canvas for your next film project. Discover what this incredible land has to offer—a perfect backdrop to bring stories to life.

For inquiries and collaborations, please connect with us.

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This year’s edition of the eighth Nepal International Indige-nous Film Festival (NIIFF) 2071, organised by the Indigenous Film Archive is going to be held in the City Hall and the Nepal Tourism Board Hall, both located on Exhibition Road, Kathmandu . During the festival, films from 18 countries around the world will be screened, starting from June 12. The festival will continue till June 14.

The festival will also be showcasing a collection of photographs based on the indigenous communities, and visitors during the programme will be able to taste traditional food items prepared in stalls run by various indigenous groups.

Out of 103 film entries from 27 countries this year, IFA selected 48. These films, which are based on indigenous communities from around the world, come under the genres of short film, feature-length film, documentary, animation and music video.

This year’s international category is primarily focused on Latin American Films, and 15 films from seven countries of the American region are being screened. A total of 27 film entries were made by Nepali filmmakers this year–films, short films, documentaries and music videos made by 13 indigenous groups. Out of these, 12 films from seven groups–Tamang, Limbu, Magar, Tharu, Rai, Gurung and Thakali—have been selected for screening. These films and documentaries are based on the culture and lifestyle of Nepalis who live in varied regions: from the far-west parts of the country to the far-east, and from up north to the south.

Two documentaries made by foreign filmmakers, which are based on Nepali communities, have also been selected for the festival. German filmmaker Holjar Reday’s 360 Degree Geo-Report Escape From The Mountains, based on the Thakali people in Mutang, and New York-based filmmaker Carlus Gomaje’s Meesaik, based on the Limbu community, will also be screened. Ram Babu Gurung’s Kabaddi–which has received positive reviews—will have its special screening during the festival, while The Korean Dream¸ directed by Ashok Thapa Magar, will premiere at the festival.

The fest will also see the screening of Japanese documentary Ainu Path Ways to Memory, Pakistani documentary The Kalash and the Creations and Malaysian documentary The Sankan Grave. In order to educate children, the festival will also be screening animated films that are based on indigenous stories .

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An American academic has filmed his escape from “certain” death as he crawled in agony to safety after falling 70 feet into a Himalayan mountain crevasse, breaking his arm, ribs and suffering severe cuts and bruises.

Dr John All, a geography lecturer from West Kentucky University who specialises in mountain science, was collecting snow samples on 23,379ft Mount Himlung, close to Everest in the Nepal Himalayas, when he fell into a deep crevasse, which had been hidden by recent heavy snow. His body ricocheted between the walls of the crevasse as he fell; he then landed on a precarious ice ridge 70 feet down but more than 300 feet from the bottom.

He spent the next six hours in excruciating agony, crawling inch by inch with his ice pick, knowing that at any moment one slip and he would fall to death.

“My body was shattered and I was in agony,” he said last night. “My face hit one wall, my back and stomach hit the back wall and I bounced between them. My face was pretty torn up. I landed on a piece of ice at a midpoint.

“I could have fallen another 100 metres and it’s amazing I didn’t. The entire time climbing out I knew if I slipped I would have been dead,” he said. (© Daily Telegraph, London)

Irish Independent

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Everest will feature Hollywood stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin, and Sam Worthington, and it has now been revealed British actress Keira Knightley will play Rob Hall’s widow Jan Arnold.

Knightley will recreate the emotional phone calls between Rob and a pregnant Jan in New Zealand as he was trapped high on the mountain.

Filming started in Rome in February and the movie is due to be released early next year.

In May 1996 two parties on the south col of Everest, one being guided by Rob Hall’s Adventure Consultants and another being led by American Scott Fischer, were caught in a blizzard.

Five people in those groups died, along with three climbers from the Indo-Tibetan Border police on the north col.

It was was one of the deadliest days in the history of climbing the world’s highest peak.

The film is being made by production company Working Title.

Jan Arnold told Fairfax in March that she felt very positive about the movie as it was the first time input had been sought from those who had a New Zealand perspective on what happened.

“We assisted them with part of it. Most of the information is in the public domain so they can make it anyway, but we had the feeling that Working Title had big motivation to tell the story as close as they could to the truth.”

She thought it would be a “drama based on” sort of film, but those behind the production said they wanted to retell the story.

“How they tell it in the end will be how they tell it, but I did feel that their motivation was to retell. I think it is a story worth telling, of bravery and ambition and humanity,” she said.

“It has been told many times – there have been several films already, but it feels likes Working Title are making a different movie, not about heroes and villains, so I feel okay about it.”

The cast is led by Hollywood stars Gyllenhaal, of Brokeback Mountain fame, who will play Scott Fisher, and No Country for Old Men star Brolin, who plays American climber Beck Weathers.

Australian Jason Clarke, who was in the Great Gatsby and Public Enemy, will play Rob Hall.

Avatar actor Sam Worthington will play New Zealand climber and guide Guy Cotter, who was on the mountain when the tragedy happened.

Former Shortland Street star Martin Henderson has been cast as Andy Harris.

The movie is being filmed in Nepal, the Dolomites in Italy, Pinewood studios in London, and at Cinecitta studios where Gangs of New York and BBC series Rome was filmed.

Jan said another Kiwi will be involved in making the film – her nephew Sashi Arnold.

“When these guys came over from London I said to them I know this is kind of cheeky, but I have this 19-year-old nephew, he is gorgeous, and this is the project he did on his uncle Rob when he was 9 years old; he’s studying film and he has a British passport and he’s desperate to get in the industry.

“The guy looked across at the director and said ‘you know he’s your next runner,’ ” she said.

Despite having stood on top of the world’s highest mountains Jan said helping her nephew was one of her proudest achievements.

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While speaking with a TLC executive for an exclusive Examiner.com interview, she revealed that a premiere date for Amy’s new TV special would be revealed very soon, perhaps as soon as this week. According to a recent Twitter post by Amy, she has been busy filming her new TV show, which is based in Nashville and centers on her budding music career.

“A Duggar Leaves Home” will include a one-hour “19 Kids and Counting” prequel, followed by the big premiere of Amy’s new special. If enough viewers tune in, TLC could turn the special in to a weekly series.

Like Amy, Jill Duggar will also make news this week on “19 Kids and Counting.” The next new episode will be super-sized to sixty minutes to chronicle Jim Bob and Jill Duggar’s trip to Nepal to see if Derick could be “the one.” Back at home, Michelle Duggar spends some time with Jessa and checks in on her courtship with Ben Seewald.

As Duggar fans already know, Jill and Derick courted for four months and got engaged on March 29. The two will be married on June 21. As posted by The Stir, they are saving their first kiss for the altar. To see Jill and Derick’s official engagement photos, head to the Duggar Family Blog.

The next new episode of “19 Kids and Counting” airs at 9 p.m. EST on Tuesday, May 6 on TLC and is titled “”Going the Distance for Love.”

The May 13 episode of “19 Kids and Counting” is titled “The Big Question.” With a few days left in their trip, Jill and Jim Bob Duggar make the most of their time. While Jill volunteers at a birth center, Derick takes Jim Bob for a traditional Nepali shave. As the trip comes to an end, Derick has a surprise for Jill. It airs at 9 p.m. EST on Tuesday, May 13.

More about the Duggar family from “19 Kids & Counting”
The super-sized Duggar family includes mom Michelle, dad Jim Bob, plus children Joshua, Jana, John-David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jeremiah, Jedidiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn and Josie. The family resides debt-free in Arkansas and stars in a weekly reality TV series on TLC called “19 Kids & Counting.”

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The star of one Oscar-nominated foreign film won’t be taking a limo to the ceremony. He’ll be arriving inside his director’s pocket.

Rithy Panh, the filmmaker behind the Cambodian entry “The Missing Picture,” revealed that he’s bringing the clay figurine that serves as the main character in his film around town during Oscar week.

The 51-year-old filmmaker pulled the small figurine out of his blazer during a Saturday event celebrating the five foreign language film nominees at the motion picture academy’s headquarters.

“Clay is good,” Panh said. “After the film (was finished), he’s been traveling with me a little bit. Maybe he will turn back to clay, water or dust, and there will be no trace — just one soul living with us forever.”

Unlike the other foreign film nominees, “The Missing Picture” stars hundreds of similarly carved clay figures — not actors — to illustrate how the Khmer Rouge regime left more than 1.7 million people dead from starvation, medical neglect, slave-like working conditions and execution in Cambodia.

“I tried to make a fiction, but it’s not possible for me,” Panh said. “Maybe it’s more possible for people who did not live during a genocide to direct actors on how to die and kill, but it seemed to me a little too hard for someone who lived during a genocide.”

“The Missing Picture,” the first-ever Oscar-nominated film from Cambodia, is up against Belgium’s “The Broken Circle Breakdown,” Denmark’s “The Hunt,” Italy’s “The Great Beauty” and Palestine’s “Omar.” The latter is new language by the academy.

The human stars of several the foreign language nominees, including Veerle Baetens of “The Broken Circle Breakdown,” Adam Bakri of “Omar” and Mads Mikkelsen of “The Hunt,” were on hand at the event on the eve of the Oscars.

“I was told to never work with children or animals,” said Thomas Vinterberg, director of “The Hunt,” which stars both a young girl and a dog alongside Mikkelsen. “In fact, it paid off really well. They were nice to work with. They don’t ask questions. You ask them to bark, and they do. No offense, Mads.”

The 86th annual Academy Awards will be presented Sunday at the Dolby Theater.

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Clive Standen has admitted filming new action thriller Everest on location in freezing temperatures has been “tough but fun”.

The Vikings star is among an ensemble cast that includes Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal, Emily Watson, Jason Clarke and Michael Kelly in the film about the 1996 disaster which saw eight people killed when an expedition were trapped in a blizzard on the summit of the world’s tallest mountain.

Clive has already spent three weeks filming on location at the Everest base camp in Nepal, and in the Dolomite mountains in northern Italy.

He said: “It’s a film based on a tragedy that happened there in 1996, where a lot of mountaineers were stuck at the summit of Everest when a storm came in and many of them didn’t come back down alive. It’s an amazing tale of endurance and its been fantastic.

“We’ve been working on it for about three weeks now – we’ve been filming right at the top of the Dolomites at minus 20 celsius and it’s tough but it’s lots of fun. Lots of men stuck up a mountain and helicopters and we’ve been doing lots of mountaineering and climbing training. I think it’s going to be a good one.”

He added: “I just finished doing some scenes with Josh Brolin and he’s a joy to work with. He’s a fantastic actor and I feel really lucky to be a part of this project.”

The film is being directed by Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormakur, whose work includes action comedy 2 Guns with Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg.

The script is based on several first-hand accounts of the disaster, including the novel Into Thin Air by John Krakauer who was one of the mountaineers stuck there at the time, and books by mountaineers including Anatoli Boukreev and Beck Weathers.

Clive revealed: “David ( Breashears, the film’s producer), was part of the IMAX team who helped some of the climbers down, and he’s on set with Guy Cotter who was another of the climbers there.”

:: The second series of Vikings will premiere on Amazon Prime Instant Video (formerly known as LOVEFiLM) from today (February 28) at www.amazon.co.uk/primevideo.

Press Association

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Universal Pictures, Walden Media and Cross Creek Pictures announced the start of principal photography on the Working Title Films production of Everest. Universal Pictures will release Everest in North American theaters in 3D and IMAX 3D on February 27, 2015.

Inspired by the incredible events surrounding a treacherous attempt to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Everest documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. Their mettle tested by the harshest of elements found on the planet, the climbers will face nearly impossible obstacles as a lifelong obsession becomes a breathtaking struggle for survival.

The epic adventure stars Jason Clarke (The Great Gatsby, Zero Dark Thirty), Josh Brolin (True Grit, No Country for Old Men), John Hawkes (Lincoln, Martha Marcy May Marlene) and Jake Gyllenhaal (Source Code, Brokeback Mountain). They are joined by Martin Henderson (The Ring), Emily Watson (The Book Thief), Michael Kelly (Netflix’s “House of Cards”) and Thomas M. Wright (“The Bridge”). Everest will be directed by Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns, Contraband) and produced by Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, Cross Creek’s Brian Oliver and Tyler Thompson, as well as Nicky Kentish Barnes (About Time).

Everest is adapted for the screen by Mark Medoff (Children of a Lesser God) and Oscar winner Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire). Kormákur’s creative team includes director of photography Salvatore Totino (The Da Vinci Code), production designer Gary Freeman (upcoming Maleficent), and costume designer Guy Speranza (The World’s End).

Everest will shoot on location in Nepal on the foothills of Everest, the Italian Alps and at Cinecittà Studios in Rome and Pinewood Studios in the UK.

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Toronto Nepali Film Festival (TNFF) will be organizing the fifth edition of the annual festival on March 21 and 22 in Toronto, Canada.

The festival this year received 81 submissions from Nepal, Canada, France, Australia, the United States, Germany, Uganda, Spain and the United Kingdom. Of the selected 11 films, six are documentaries, three feature films, one short fiction and one short animation.

TNFF will be screening the selected films – Nabhaniyeko Katha (The Untold Story) by Loonibha Tuladhar; The Sound of One Leg Dancing by Dila Dilman; Nepal’s Slave Girls by Subina Shrestha; Sakhi by Mohan Rai and Santosh Regmi; This is My Life by Amber Bemak; In Nepal, Exiled Each Month by Allison Shelly; Awakening – the Forbidden Temple by Deepak Limbu; Saas Fere Jasto Lagcha (Breathing Am I …?) by Santosh Bhattarai; Indreni Khojdai Jaada (Chasing Rainbows) by Sahara Sharma; Soongava, Dance of the Orchids by Subarna Thapa, and Bal Krishna Sama, Untold Story by Dinesh Palpali.

As the press release states, the films range across different subjects like dreams, courage, struggles, friendships and accomplishments, and give a true representation of the diversity in Nepal.

Nepali cuisine will be available at the festival and there will also be performances by local artists.

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