Abinash Bikram Shah's 'Elephants in the Fog' selected as Nepal's entry for Oscars 2027

Nepali filmmaker Abinash Bikram Shah's "Elephants in the Fog" has been selected as Nepal's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, where it will compete in the Best International Feature Film category.

The International Feature Film Selection Committee (Nepal) considered two films, including "Gauthali", before selecting "Elephants in the Fog" (Tiniharu) to represent the country at the Oscars in 2027.

The committee said the films were evaluated on their technical aspects, storytelling, emotional portrayal of characters, artistic work and overall quality.

"The film will represent Nepal in the Best International Feature Film category," the committee said in a press release.

Directed by Shah, "Elephants in the Fog" has already made its mark on the international festival circuit. It became the first Nepali feature film to be selected for the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize.

The film is currently running in theatres across Nepal and is in its second week of release.

Reacting to its Oscar selection, Shah described the honour as a deeply personal moment, while dedicating the recognition to people whose lives and experiences inspired the film.

"To represent Nepal on this stage is a quiet, humbling honour. This story was never mine to own, it belongs to those who carry their lives through the fog, unseen and unheard," Shah said.

"Today, their existence steps into the light, impossible to erase. That is the only victory that truly matters," he added.

The filmmaker's film had earlier created history at Cannes, becoming the first Nepali feature to enter the Un Certain Regard section and subsequently winning the jury prize in the section.

The Oscar selection comes as another major milestone for Nepali cinema, following the film's recognition at one of the world's most prominent film festivals.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah congratulated the filmmaker and the entire team on the selection.

"The film 'Elephants in the Fog' (Tiniharu) directed by Abinash Bikram Shah has been officially selected for its entry to the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars)," the prime minister wrote on social media.

"Hearty congratulations to the entire team and many, many good wishes for the next journey," he said.