By Renuka Dhakal, KATHMANDU:- Nepali feature film ‘Elephants in the Fog’ received an over eight-minute standing ovation following its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France.

Directed by Avinash Vikram Shah, the film was screened on Wednesday as part of the official selection. The premiere was attended by the director, cast, and members of the production team.

Distributors and co-producers, including Patrick Subedi, shared the moment on Facebook, writing, “Over eight minutes of standing ovation. A theatre full of applause. A moment full of emotion. Elephants in the Fog: making history for Nepali cinema in the world market at the Cannes Film Festival.”

Minister for Information and Communication, Dr. Bikram Timilsina, conveyed his congratulations on Wednesday through social networking site Facebook.

“I extend heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on behalf of the Government of Nepal on the selection and premiere of the Nepali film ‘Elephants in the Fog’ in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival,” he wrote. “This important achievement clearly highlights the remarkable progress made by the Nepali film industry in terms of capability, creativity, and international competitiveness. Furthermore, successfully presenting Nepali stories, culture, and social realities on one of the world’s most prestigious platforms is a matter of national pride.”

He further wrote, “This film has contributed to establishing the Nepali film industry at an international level. The Government of Nepal remains fully committed to the promotion and development of high-quality, creative films capable of competing on international platforms in the future.”

He also expressed his belief that the Nepali film industry will continue to achieve such remarkable successes in the coming days, further strengthening its presence on the global cinematic stage.

The Film Development Board of Nepal also extended congratulations, stating via its official Facebook page that the film’s selection in the Un Certain Regard category and its premiere represent a significant milestone for the Nepali film industry. The Board highlighted it as evidence of the industry’s growing creativity, capability, and international competitiveness.

Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, also attended this year’s Cannes Film Festival. She wore traditional Newari attire at one of the festival events.

She also shared on Facebook that she was proudly stepping into the world premiere of ‘Elephants in the Fog’, Abinash Bikram Shah’s debut feature, the first Nepali film ever selected for the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival.

“To the cast, to producers Underground Talkies and the international co-production partners across France, Germany, Brazil, and Norway, and above all to Avinash and his crew thank you for widening the frame of what Nepali cinema is and what it can become,” she wrote.

Artistes including Pushpa Thing, Deepika Yadav, Jasmine Bishwakarma, Shanti Giri, Gauri Malla, Maotse Gurung, Sanjay Gupta Dura, Mahima Nawabag and Akanksha Karki have acted in the film.

The film is a co-production between Nepali companies Underground Talkies Nepal and Jayanthi Creations, along with partners from France, Germany, Brazil and Norway. Set in deep inside a forest at a Nepali village where wild elephants live, the story follows Pirati, the leader of a Kinnar community, who dreams of leaving to be with the man she loves. But when one of her daughters goes missing, she is forced to investigate and decide between her personal freedom and her duty to her community.