Nepal's 'Elephants in the Fog' Wins Prestigious Jury Prize at Cannes 2026
Cannes 2026: Nepal’s ‘Elephants in the Fog’ creates history, wins Un Certain Regard Jury Prize
The Hindu
Image: The Hindu
Nepali film 'Elephants in the Fog' has made history by winning the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival 2026, becoming the first film from Nepal to achieve this honor. Directed by Abinash Bikram Shah, the film explores the lives of transgender women in a village in Nepal's southern Terai plains.
- 01'Elephants in the Fog' is the first Nepali film to win an award at the Cannes Film Festival.
- 02The film's narrative centers on Pirati, a matriarch of a Kinnar community, who faces a personal crisis when her daughter goes missing.
- 03Abinash Bikram Shah dedicated the award to his team, emphasizing the importance of visibility for marginalized communities.
- 04The film is a co-production involving Nepali companies and international partners from France, Germany, Brazil, and Norway.
- 05Shah previously received recognition at Cannes for his short film 'Lori', which earned a Special Mention.
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'Elephants in the Fog', directed by Abinash Bikram Shah, has made history as the first film from Nepal to win at the Cannes Film Festival, securing the prestigious Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at its 79th edition. The film, which marks Shah's feature debut, is set in Thori, a village in Nepal's southern Terai plains, and tells the poignant story of transgender women, focusing on Pirati, the matriarch of a Kinnar community. As Pirati grapples with her daughter's disappearance, she must navigate her longing for freedom against her responsibilities to her community. In his acceptance speech, Shah highlighted the power of cinema to illuminate marginalized lives and dedicated the award to his team, stating, 'We have made the invisible visible.' The film features a talented cast including Pushpa Thing and Deepika Yadav, and is co-produced by Underground Talkies Nepal and Jayanthi Creations, alongside international partners. Shah, who had previously received acclaim for his short film 'Lori', continues to pave the way for Nepali cinema on the global stage.
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This win elevates the visibility of Nepali cinema on the international stage and highlights the stories of marginalized communities.
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