Kathmandu, May 23, 2026 : Nepali director Abinash Bikram Shah’s film ‘Elephants in the Fog’ has won the prestigious Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. This marks a significant milestone for Nepali cinema on the global stage.
The award was announced during the closing ceremony of the Un Certain Regard section, one of Cannes’ most important competitive categories after the main competition.
This is the first time a Nepali feature film has received an award in this section.
Abinash Bikram Shah, who previously received a Special Mention at Cannes for his short film ‘Lori’, has once again brought international recognition to Nepal.
After receiving the award, Shah credited his entire team and described the film as a story about finding strength in darkness and making the invisible visible.
About the Film
Elephants in the Fog revolves around a family living in a village frequently affected by elephant attacks.
The story particularly explores the relationship between a mother and her daughter.
The film features strong representation of sexual and minority communities, with several actors from these communities playing key roles.
Other Major Winners in Un Certain Regard
- Un Certain Regard Prize (Top Award): Everytime by Austrian director Sandra Wollner
- Special Jury Prize: Iron Boy by French director Louis Clichy
- Best Actor: Bradley Fiomona Dembeaset for Congo Boy
- Best Actress (joint winners): Marina de Tavira, Daniela Marin Navarro, and Mariengel Villegas for Siempre Soy Tu Animal Materno
The victory has generated huge excitement in Nepal’s film industry.
Many see this achievement as a breakthrough that could open new doors for Nepali filmmakers and stories on the international stage.
This success highlights the growing global presence of Nepali cinema and celebrates the hard work of Abinash Bikram Shah and his team.
Publish Date: May 24, 2026
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