Applications Open for Film to Represent Nepal is the Oscars

The Nepal International Feature Film Selection Committee-2026 has started the selection process for films to compete on behalf of Nepal in the ‘International Feature Film’ category of the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars).

According to the notice issued by the Committee today, application for Nepali films that meet the criteria must be received by coming September 7. Filmmakers interested in participating in the Oscars have been called upon to register their films at the committee’s secretariat in Kathmandu within the specified deadline.

Films to be selected for the Oscars competition must have received certification from the Central Film Censorship Board of the Government of Nepal and must have been screened in cinemas between Asoj 15, 2082 BS and Asoj 14, 2083 BS.

In addition, the provision has been made that the film must have been screened in commercial cinemas for at least seven consecutive days after tickets are out for sale, said the committee’s chairman Sharma.

If the screening conditions are not met, the film must have won a ‘qualifying award’ at an official international film festival designated by the Oscars.

According to Committee Chair, Laxmi Nath Sharma, films that have been screened for the first time through media such as television, ‘VOD’, ‘DVD’, ‘Internet streaming’ or ‘airline entertainment’ shall be considered ineligible for selection.

The conditions for participation include that at least one of the director, writer or producer of the film must be a Nepali citizen and that the film must reflect Nepali culture and identity. Similarly, more than 50 per cent of the dialogue of the film must be in Nepali, with clearly understandable English ‘subtitles’, the notice states. (RSS)