Six Outstanding Films Traverse the Himalayas: Tiantan Award Panorama Concludes Kathmandu Stop on a High Note
As a gentle summer breeze swept across Kathmandu, the ancient city welcomed, at the beginning of June, a cinematic celebration that journeyed beyond snow-capped mountains. The Kathmandu stop of the Tiantan Award Panorama successfully concluded on June 4. Organized by the China Film Administration and the Office of the BJIFF Organizing Committee, with strong support from the China Cultural Center in Nepal, the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University, the Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University, and the Nepal Film & Cultural Academy, the event brought six acclaimed Chinese films spanning diverse genres and artistic styles—including The Shadowless Tower, Beyond the Skies, Lost in the Stars, Summer Diary, Journey to the West, and Trapped—to local audiences. Through nine screenings, the event created a vibrant chapter in cultural exchange between China and Nepal.
Group Photo of the Guests
Nestled at the southern foothills of the Himalayas, Kathmandu is a historic city where faith and art converge. Its distinctive geographical location has long made it an important bridge connecting South Asian and Chinese civilizations. Through this bridge, the enduring friendship and cultural dialogue between China and Nepal have continued to deepen and flourish over generations. Prior to the opening screening of Trapped, Minister Zhou Pan, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, officially inaugurated the China-Nepal cultural exchange event. In his remarks, Zhou Pan highlighted that cinema, as a "universal language" that transcends linguistic barriers and national borders, serves as one of the most authentic and vivid mediums for cultural exchange between the two countries.
Minister Zhou Pan Delivering Remarks
The six Chinese films featured in the Kathmandu stop of the Tiantan Award Panorama offered audiences a multifaceted glimpse into the richness and diversity of contemporary Chinese cinema. Through The Shadowless Tower, viewers experienced the pulse of urban life beneath a Beijing landmark; Beyond the Skies brought audiences to the edge of conflict, exploring the boundaries between life and death; Lost in the Stars immersed viewers in a suspenseful maze of unexpected twists; Summer Diary followed a journey of drifting and discovery, portraying the tender growth of a desert boy; Journey to the West embraced absurdity while paying tribute to every enduring dream; and Trapped confronted the harsh dilemmas of human nature in an isolated Gobi desert town.
During the exhibition tour, director Sagara Zhang of Trapped attended the Kathmandu event in person and engaged in an in-depth exchange with local audiences. During the post-screening discussion, one audience member noted that the film's distinctive aesthetic style differed from the Asian cinema they had previously encountered. In response, director Sagara explained that the film's cold, restrained and austere atmosphere was deeply influenced by Italian Westerns. The sustained applause from Nepalese audiences demonstrated their appreciation for contemporary Chinese cinema. The discussion also became a sincere and heartfelt encounter between filmmakers from China and Nepal, creating another meaningful cinematic dialogue that transcended geographical distance and cultural boundaries.
Director Sagara Zhang Speaking at the Post-screening Discussion
Audience Members Participating in the Post-screening Discussion
Chinese films continue to cross geographical boundaries, fostering emotional and spiritual connections while highlighting humanity's shared understanding of universal values such as family, faith and freedom. Looking ahead, the Tiantan Award Panorama will continue its journey to more cities around the world, sharing Chinese stories with international audiences. Meanwhile, cultural exchange between China and Nepal will continue to spark new inspiration and possibilities through every encounter.
