'Kathmandu Horror Film Fest' Second Edition Concludes

Kathmandu: The second edition of the three-day 'Kathmandu Horror Film Fest' has successfully concluded in Kathmandu. Enthusiastic audience participation was observed throughout the screenings of horror and genre films from Nepal and around the world.

The festival wrapped up with the screening of the movie Aisha Can't Fly Away, directed by Morad Mostafa. The closing ceremony was attended by the Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Music and Drama, Brajesh Khanal; Minister-Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Russian Embassy in Nepal, Rinchen Rakshayev; former Minister Ganesh Shah; and President of the Nepal Film and Cultural Academy, KP Pathak, among others.

In the festival's competitive category, out of 18 short films, the Nepali short film KNAR, directed by Aakash Dhimal, was named the best short film based on audience votes.

Similarly, among the six feature films in competition, In This Darkness I See You, directed by Nadim Tabet, was declared the best feature film. A joint production of France, Lebanon, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, the film won the award based on audience votes.

Having launched in 2025 with the screening of 25 films, this year's edition selected 26 films from 21 countries through an international open call. Among them were eight feature films and 18 short films. Out of the selected films, five were Nepali productions or co-productions.

KP Pathak, President of the festival, stated that the second edition proved a significant interest in horror and genre films among Nepali audiences. "Horror cinema offers filmmakers an opportunity to present topics like folklore, society, and identity from a fresh perspective," said President Pathak.