With its history as evening at the Kathmandu Film Centre in 2010, Docskool hosted screenings of queer films with discussions on sexuality in cinema.The festival was launched as an independent event in 2021 as part of the ‘Something Like a Film Festival’ event. In 2024 the first edition of the Queer Film Festival Kathmandu was hosted in Kathmandu with wide participation of filmmakers, queer campaigners and diverse audience. It is since been held as an annual event in Kathmandu.
With its 2026 event, QFK is hosted for 7 days showing close to 75 films as fiction and shorts. The festival is held at Airavat Picture House and various satellite venue’s that include queer run spaces across Kathmandu. The festival is open to films of 5 mins and over in all genre with no content restriction. Films shown have a focus on personal stories, lived experiences, Queer history and intersectionality in the queer expression. The festival is held as an multidisciplinary program hosting satellite artwork exhibitions, dialogues, workshops among others.
Festival Catalog
Since 2026, Queer Film festival Kathmandu is held on the second week of January. The festival lasts for seven days.
Film submission is open on 1st of July and closes on 15thSeptember Submissions should be made using the Filmfreeway link, Private submission is possible through email to queerfestkathmandu(at)protonmail.com
QFK Film free way: https://filmfreeway.com/queerfestkathmandu
Submission costs 1500 Nepali Rupees(10 USD)
QFK highly values the privacy and security of filmmakers submitting projects. We request filmmakers to use pseudonyms and to be extra considerate when sharing images of characters etc. if risk of threat.
The festival encourages all submissions and communication be done via secured mailing channels such as proton.com.
QFK organizes several workshops with other learning opportunities for filmmakers and cinema aspirants throughout the year and during the festival. Follow our social media for latest updates.
Workshops, Interactions held during the 2026 festival–
- Interaction with filmmakers and critics on cinema censorship in Nepal
- Workshop on Queer lens in cinema
- Interaction on commonalities and divergence between feminist and queer movement in Nepal
- Participatory video workshop for queercampaigners
- Technical sessions on video editing and colour grading
Volunteering and internship opportunities are available at the festival.These include engagements with the programming team, festival communications and cinema management among others. Check social media for relevant updates.
Sponsorship
As a small festival, we are in constant need of sponsors willing to support part of the project or through brand value as product placements.
Brand placement opportunities are available as–
- Video teaser slot prior to screenings
- Placement in the festival catalog and other print materials
- Merchandise Stall at the Rainbow market fair held at the festival venue
- Satellite venue partner to selected festival screenings(Cafes, Bars)
Festival Team
Co-directors: Kshitiz Adhiraj, Jyotsna Maskay
OrganisingTeam: Gaurav Kandel, Prateek Thapa, Abhimanyu Dixit, Pashupati Rai
Festival Selection Team: Abhisek Budathoki, Ankit Khadgi, Barkha Mukhia, Birat Bijay Ojha, Bishal Roka Magar, Deepa Shrestha, Dia Yonzon, Simran Sherchan, Sandeep Shrestha
Festival Manager: Sashul Shrestha
Festival Coordinator: Pinki Sris Rana
Communications:Bomjar Boje, Bhagirathi Pandit
Partners (QFK 2026): Blue Diamond Society, Transmen Initiative, FICSON, Yuwa, Plan International, Alliance Francaise
Ongoing Initiatives
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