Women are often at the centre of Nepali films. Why are men still telling most of their stories?

A debate over an all-male film pitch panel has reopened deeper questions about power, representation and who gets to shape women’s narratives.

On Saturday morning, filmmaker Prasuna Dongol posted a heartfelt status on Facebook, describing her experience attending a film pitch programme in Kathmandu. She reported what she saw at the inaugural Short Film Development Lab pitch event: a room full of energy, teams ready to pitch, and a stage full of gatekeepers. When the organising team was called up, she counted twelve men. There were no women mentors.