Nepali Film ‘Taste of Water’ at International Short Film Festival Oberhausen

In a significant milestone for Nepali cinema, the short film “Taste of Water” has been officially selected for the prestigious 72nd International Short Film Festival Oberhausen in Germany.

Produced through a collaborative effort between Risalla Production, Everest Film Academy, and Simal Cinema, the film will represent Nepal at one of the world’s oldest and most influential platforms for short-form filmmaking.

The film has earned its spot in the “Children and Youth Competition” category, a segment renowned for showcasing powerful narratives that bridge generational and cultural gaps.

The selection is being hailed by the production team and film critics alike as a vital step in bringing Nepal’s unique cultural identity and creative prowess to the global forefront.

“To carry Nepal onto an international stage is both an honor and a powerful statement of what our cinema is capable of,” expressed producer Jyotsal Rajbhandari.

Written and directed by the visionary Ayan Pariyar, Taste of Water is a poignant exploration of childhood innocence set against a backdrop of socioeconomic hardship.

The story follows Bire, a nine-year-old boy living in a world defined by scarcity.

Bire’s life takes a turn when he tastes water from a stranger’s hand pump, a taste so sweet and pure it feels like a revelation compared to the water he has known.

Drawn by this simple “miracle,” Bire begins to return to the pump in secret, risking everything for a sip of hope.

Through Bire’s quiet yet determined journey, Pariyar masterfully captures the silent struggles of poverty and the human instinct to seek beauty in the harshest of realities.

The film’s visual language is crafted by cinematographer Sharad Mahato, with the production helmed by a dedicated team of producers: Diwas Shrestha, Jyotsal Rajbhandari, and Prem Prasad Adhikari.

Their collective vision has resulted in a film that is as aesthetically striking as it is emotionally resonant, proving that Nepali stories have the depth to compete with the best in the world.

The 72nd International Short Film Festival Oberhausen is scheduled to take place from April 28 to May 3, 2026, in Germany.

As the global film community gathers, all eyes will be on this small yet mighty story from the heart of Nepal.