Nepal’s documentary filmmakers have neither audience nor income, yet they pursue their passion

In 2019, a filmmaker approached a reputed TV channel in the country. Having spent two years documenting events on the border of Nepal and India post the economic blockade, he was sure some channel would buy his documentary as it showed the hardships people in the border area had to face. The TV channel agreed, but on one condition: the filmmaker had to buy airtime. But, that was something he was not willing to do.

“It was so disappointing. I faced the same thing with all the TV channels,” says the filmmaker who asked to remain anonymous. “A few were willing to show it, but they were not going to pay me. That is when I realised how bad the ‘documentary scene’ in Nepal is. Sometimes I watch my colleagues and wonder if there is a scene at all.”