Kathmandu Doc Lab – Call for Observers

The Kathmandu Doc Lab is a documentary incubation and pitching platform for South Asian documentary filmmakers, launching in May 2025. As part of our commitment to fostering the next generation of Nepali filmmakers, we are seeking 9 enthusiastic observers to participate in the lab. This is a unique opportunity to gain invaluable insight into the documentary development process, from intensive workshops to the final pitch.

Applications close on May 12.

The Observer Role

Observers will be an integral part of the Kathmandu Doc Lab. Each observer will be tied to a selected project and will have the opportunity to witness its development throughout the 5-day intensive program, which takes place from May 24-28, 2025. Observers will attend workshops, mentoring sessions, and the live pitch event on May 28, 2025. The lab also includes an online pitch on June 10, 2025, that the observers will be invited to attend.

All selected observers will pay a participation fee of NPR. 12,000 that will cover meals and refreshments during the program. Observers will also be invited to attend specific industry events and screenings at kimff 2025.

Benefits of Participating

  • Learn from Industry Experts: Observe and learn from experienced mentors such as Arun Bhattarai (Bhutan), Rintu Thomas (India), and Anam Abbas (Pakistan).
  • Network with Filmmakers: Connect with talented filmmakers and industry professionals from South Asia.
  • Gain Practical Knowledge: Acquire first-hand knowledge of the documentary development and pitching process.
  • Be Inspired: Witness compelling South Asian stories and projects being shaped.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be Nepali citizens.
  • Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in documentary filmmaking.
  • Some filmmaking experience is preferred but not required.
  • Applicants must be available to attend the full duration of the 5-day lab (May 24-28, 2025) and the pitch event (live and online).
  • Selected participants will pay the participation fee of NPR 12,000.

Interested? Apply now!

Applications close on May 12.

FAQ

A: The Observer Program offers a unique opportunity for Nepali filmmakers to witness the inner workings of the Kathmandu Doc Lab, a mentorship and pitching platform for South Asian documentary filmmakers. Observers will follow a selected project through workshops, mentoring sessions, and the final pitch.

A: Observers will gain valuable insights into documentary development, including pitching, storytelling, production strategies, and funding approaches. They will also have the chance to network with filmmakers and industry professionals.

A: The Observer Program is open to Nepali citizens with a strong interest in documentary filmmaking. Some filmmaking experience is preferred but not strictly required.

A: The 5-day intensive program takes place from May 24-28, 2025. Observers are also expected to attend the kimff 2025 pitch event.

A: There is a participation fee of NPR 12,000 for the Observer Program. This fee supports to cover the costs associated with running the program including meals and refreshments during the program.

A: There are no scholarships available for the Observer Program this year. We hope to be able to setup a couple of scholarships in the coming years.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have further questions that haven’t already been answered here.

Mentors

Anam Abbas

Anam Abbas is an award-winning filmmaker, director of “This Stained Dawn” (Sheffield, Yamagata, 2021) and producer behind “Showgirls of Pakistan” (IDFA, 2020) and “In Flames” (Cannes, TIFF, Busan, Sitges). Anam has served on the selection jury for Berlinale Talents Doc Station, Sheffield Meet Market. She is a founding member of the Documentary Association of Pakistan, programming the Chalta Phirta Film Festival, and runs intensive Doc Labs in Pakistan.

Arun Bhattarai

Arun Bhattarai is a Bhutanese documentary filmmaker known for acclaimed works like, “Agent of Happiness, “The Next Guardian”, and Mountain Man”. His latest, Agent of Happiness debuted at The Sundance Film Festival, where it was a grand jury prize nominee. His films have been awarded at major festivals and theatrically released around the world. Bhattarai specializes in intimate, culturally nuanced storytelling. His films have been supported by Sundance, Catapult and IDFA Bertha Fund.

Rintu Thomas

Rintu Thomas is an Academy Award-nominated, Peabody-winning Indian filmmaker whose body of work sits at the intersection of storytelling as an art and a dialogue. Her double Sundance-winning ‘Writing With Fire’ (2021) is India’s first Oscar-nominated feature documentary. Rintu is a recipient of the IDA Courage Under Fire Award, the President’s Medal in India and a co-founder of Black Ticket Films. Her critically acclaimed work is centered on creating powerful, socially engaged documentaries that amplify underrepresented voices.

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