The Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers Workshop invites filmmakers, poets, and visual artists from around the world to submit films exploring language, landscape, and imagination.
The Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers Workshop (HLF–WWK 2026) has announced a call for submissions to its Poetry Film Festival, to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal. Bringing together the worlds of poetry and cinema, the festival invites filmmakers, visual artists, and storytellers from across the globe to submit works that explore the meeting point of language, landscape, ecology, and imagination.
The festival, hosted by White Lotus Book Shop in Lalitpur, is part of a broader celebration of literary and artistic exchange in the Himalayan region — and represents one of South Asia’s most distinctive platforms for the intersection of written and visual art forms.
Submission Deadlines
Filmmakers may submit entries under one of two deadlines. The regular deadline is 30 March 2026, while an extended deadline is available until 15 May 2026. Note that entry fees double for extended submissions.
Film Categories
The festival welcomes submissions across seven categories:
- Feature Film
- Short Film
- Documentary
- Animation
- Student Film
- Green / Environmental Film
- Children’s Film
Entry Fees
Regular deadline entry fees are USD 59 for films over 60 minutes, USD 29 for films under 60 minutes, and USD 20 for student and SAARC-region filmmakers. All fees double under the extended deadline.
What to Submit
Each submission must include the film title, director information, running time, shooting format, production year, main cast, and a viewing or download link with password. A trailer or teaser link is also required. Supporting materials include a director photograph, film poster, and at least two film stills (maximum 2 MB each). A short synopsis of no more than 50 words must accompany each entry.
Films not in English must include English subtitles. Watermarked films will not be accepted, and trailers or promotional clips alone do not constitute a valid submission. South Asian films that have been censored should attach their Censor Certificate.
Terms & Selection
HLF–WWK reserves the right to screen submitted films as part of festival programming and promotional activities. All decisions by the Selection Committee are final. Selected films cannot be withdrawn from the festival, and selection for screening does not automatically guarantee entry into the competition — the jury determines competition entries separately. Selected filmmakers and award recipients are required to use official festival logos in any related announcements.
How to Register
Filmmakers can register and submit their entries via the official festival website: hlf.whitelotusbookshop.com/poetry-film-festival-2026. Payment may be made via wire transfer to Global IME Bank, Kathmandu, or through PayPal.
Contact
For enquiries, contact the festival organisers at hlfwwk2026@gmail.com or whitelotusbookshop@gmail.com. The festival is hosted at White Lotus Book Shop, Hanumasthan, Kupondole, Lalitpur, Nepal. Phone: +977 5420248 / +977 9813798573.
— The Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers Workshop 2026 invites the world to Kathmandu, where poetry meets cinema in the shadow of the Himalayas.
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