• 24 January 2025

Short films have become such an interesting medium for storytelling and reflecting the rich culture and social concerns in Nepal. While the broader film industry is still struggling to rise, short films are surprisingly getting recognition for their artistic merit and their ability to grasp the viewer’s maturity on various societal issues and more.

Creating short films in Nepal is actually much cheaper than many other shooting locations around the world. There are lots of affordable options available in short film services but choosing one that can balance quality with creativity is essential. That’s when Lamp Bird comes in. With its complete package of services to filmmakers, Lamp Bird is making a significant contribution to short films in Nepal.

Lampbird: A complete short film service provider 

Lampbird is a premium short film and photography production in Nepal. With its comprehensive services for local filmmakers, Lampbird is gradually gaining its mark in the industry. Here’s an overview of its offerings:

1. Overview

• Line Production: Lampbird specializes in line production where it manages all various aspects from budgeting to execution.
• Local Management: It provides expert location scouting across various landscapes so that filmmakers get the desired settings for their projects.

2. Equipment Rental

Lampbird offers a variety of filming equipment like cameras, lighting, and sound gear which are a must for various production needs.

3. Permits and Logistics

The company handles all necessary filming permits like those for national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ensuring harmony with local regulations.

Our fixer services include visa securing and managing legal paperwork for international crews.

4. Experience with Diverse Projects

Lampbird has a strong portfolio for creating feature films, documentaries, and commercial video productions. We have worked on high-profile projects showcasing Nepal’s stunning landscapes and culture. 

Types of short films that Lampbird helps to create

• Documentary shorts: These films are often dedicated to exploring the cultural, social or environmental diversities of Nepal using the country's rich heritage and mesmerizing landscapes. 
• Promotional and commercial shorts: These short films are often designed for advertising purposes. What’s interesting is these shorts highlight the products or services in an extremely engaging and concise manner.
• Artistic and experimental films: This genre of short films focuses on creative storytelling and visual aesthetics, not something that traditional filmmaking would do.
• Narrative fiction: This one includes short films that create fictional stories, from drama to comedy, visualizing the unique narratives based in Nepal.

Other short film service providers in Nepal

Nepal offers a great deal of affordable short film production services with great quality. These are some:

1. Film Crew Nepal

Film Crew Nepal is one of the largest line production and film production companies in Nepal. With 30 years of experience in different media production like films, documentaries, and commercials, this production house also helps create various genres of short films. 

2. Nepal Film Production (NFP)

This is an international media production company that focuses on budget-friendly services of great quality. The company has an experience of over 13 years and can manage both local and international projects with ease.

Nepal Film Production with various other production companies in Nepal actively creates short films and many of them have been huge hits. Some examples are:

Jaalo: This is a short film with a diverse cast and a great production team. OSR Digital was the distributor.

Aama: An exceptionally emotional short film that shows parental love and went on to win awards. It was directed and produced by Himal Upreti.

The Sound of Dreaming: This Kalani Gacon-directed short film explores lucid dreams and connections. 

Kalli: This award-winning short film is written and directed by Krishna Shrestha.

3. Storytailors

This global film production company creates interesting short films as a part of its vast video production services. Their high-profile clients include Netflix and BBC. Their versatility in the industry ranges from corporate films, documentaries, short films, etc. This company has provided production support for various projects, including short films.

4. Liberty Films

Based in Kathmandu, Liberty Films is a creative film production company that hopes to promote filming and media tourism in Nepal through its work. Their portfolio has various interesting projects including short films that show local stories and culture.

You can check out their YouTube channel where they share most of their work. They aim to enhance the Nepali film industry and contribute to the local creative landscapes.

How can Lamp Bird help in short film-making?

1. Obtaining a film permit

Before legally setting up a short film shoot in Nepal, filmmakers need to get permission from the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology (MOICT), through the Film Development Board which Lamp Bird will help with. This includes:

• Identification of authorities which the Film Development Board will guide you.
• A project proposal that includes a detailed description of crew details, shooting locations, and equipment list.
• Fill in the application form and pay the required fee.
• The approval process may take anywhere between 7 to 21 working days. The FDB may seek further clarification during this tenure.
• After approval, you shall receive an official permit landing all your filming aspirations.

Types of permits

These are the types of permits one needs to get before starting their short films. Lamp Bird will help the creators easily get these permits:

• National filming permit: It applies to general filming locations.
• Special area filming permit: This one is required to film in protected areas like heritage sites and national parks. 
• Custom clearance: This is necessary only if there is any importation of filming equipment in the country.

2. Filmmaking resources

Lamp Bird offers a diverse range of resources to help filmmakers:

• Film production companies: We offer local coordination and logistics for foreign filmmakers.
• Workshops and festivals: Aspiring filmmakers can participate in numerous workshops and festivals where they can showcase their talent. For instance, the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF).

3. Scenic and cultural appeal

The luxurious topography of Nepal’s majestic landscapes from the mighty Himalayas down to the colourful urban spaces create a perfect spot for various film genres. Lamp Bird can help you integrate with the nation’s cultural wealth which will assist the storytelling’s quality. We provide an attractive premise for both cultural and documentary films.

Funding Opportunities for short films in Nepal

These are some of the funding opportunities for short films in Nepal:

Toni Hagen Foundation Documentary Grant 2025

The grant is for short films and documentaries that focus on Nepali society, history, and culture. The selected project receives a grant of NPR 2,00,000. To be eligible for this, one has to be a Nepali filmmaker who has not yet produced a feature-length film. And, the film must be 10 to 20 minutes long.

Gender Film Co-Production Grants

The British Council and the Film Development Board’s Storybank Initiative together offer these grants to encourage emerging talents to create short gender-themed films. Along with financial support, they also offer expert mentoring and capacity building. Any emerging storyteller who can create fiction and non-fiction narratives is eligible for this.

Current situation of short film-making in Nepal

In recent years, short films have seen some good growth and transformation. We can certainly see more participation, competition, and recognition from the global arena. Most importantly, we see the growth of independent filmmaking scenarios.

1. Emerging opportunities and competitions 

Initiatives, such as the Nepal Short Film Competition provide a great platform for aspiring filmmakers. The sole purpose of this competition is to encourage the growth and creativity of those who struggle to find an opportunity to prove their talent within this industry. Filmmakers receive an invitation to submit scripts and participate actively to be considered for production grants.

2. International recognition and cultural growth 

There is a growing awareness and fondness for short films. Filmmakers produce content that gets to be presented in international film festivals. Some Nepali short films have gained global acclaim, winning awards and paving the way for a new line of filmmakers. This is important because it allows Nepali cinema to be more visible in the international arena and inspires local talent.

3. Innovation and quality

Independent filmmakers have emerged in the Nepali film industry with innovative projects, which were not bothered by any pandemic influence on production activities. They usually try to reflect on contemporary social issues with their stories. For instance, movies like Demo-crazy reflect upon political motifs whereas many others deal with the personal or societal troubles existing within Nepal. 

4. Future challenges

Compared with global standards, the overall production quality has been called into question for having very little meaning. Many filmmakers continue to be challenged by lack of funding and resources-and this restriction has an ill impact on their creativity. 

Cost of making short films in Nepal

1. Filming permit charges

• Permit Fee Structure

Filming in Nepal usually costs somewhere around 15,000 NPR as general filming permit fees. It is considerably low in comparison to many other countries.

• Additional Costs

Based on the location of filming, a few other costs may be in order. For conservation areas, the specific region in Upper Mustang, for example, can cost around USD 5,000 for permits.

• Liaison Officer Costs

The film crew must be accompanied by a liaison officer, whose daily allowances, insurance, travel, meals, and lodging shall, therefore, be the responsibility of the producer. This may constitute a considerable part of the budget. 

2. Production costs

• Crew and Equipment

 Filmmakers need a budget for crew salaries, involving the director, cinematographer, and sound technician. They also have to look at costs for renting or buying equipment, which can include cameras, lighting, and sound equipment. Such costs may change depending on the size of a project.

• Location Fees

If an on-location shoot is planned, expect to add to the budget fees for renting spaces or specific location permits. Transportation to remote sites might also add costs. 

Conclusion

Nepal's affordable short film services offer a great opportunity for producers to produce quality content without the burdensome cost that production usually brings. Therefore, with a rise in the number of production companies like Lampbird, filmmakers can access a range of services from location scouting, to equipment rentals, and permits at unbelievably low pricing.

 Once this beautiful country adds to any project with its marvellous geography and rich cultural heritage, it becomes a good catch for shooting overseas. So, if you’re an aspiring filmmaker who wants to start their journey with short films, Lampbird is your companion.