Everest Film Academy is proud to celebrate another milestone in the international journey of Nepali filmmaking as Taste of Water, written and directed by Everest Film Academy alumnus Aayan Pariyar, has been officially selected at the 21st Tasveer Film Festival in Seattle, Washington, USA.
The selection marks the film’s second official international festival selection, following its selection at the 72nd International Short Film Festival Oberhausen in Germany.
For Everest Film Academy, this is more than a festival selection. It is a proud moment that reflects the growing recognition of the work created by its students and alumni and the potential of Nepali filmmakers to connect with audiences around the world.
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About Tasveer Film Festival and Market
The 21st Tasveer Film Festival (TFF) is taking place in Seattle, Washington, and is recognized as the world’s only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival.
Founded in 2002, Tasveer has grown into an important platform for South Asian cinema, bringing diverse stories and filmmakers together while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and creative dialogue.
The festival showcases a wide range of films, including short films, feature films, animation, and live-action works. Beyond screenings, Tasveer also hosts industry activities through the Tasveer Film Market, including panels, project pitches, networking events, workshops, and conversations connecting filmmakers, artists, and audiences.
Being selected for such a platform gives Taste of Water an opportunity to bring a story from Nepal to audiences in Seattle and the wider international South Asian filmmaking community.
A Proud Moment for Everest Film Academy
At Everest Film Academy, the success of Taste of Water carries a special meaning.
The film’s writer and director, Aayan Pariyar, is an alumnus of Everest Film Academy. Seeing the work of an academy alumnus selected by international film festivals is a proud reminder of what can happen when young filmmakers are given the opportunity to learn, create, experiment, and tell their own stories.
The Academy believes that filmmaking education should go beyond classrooms and theoretical knowledge. Students need opportunities to develop their own ideas, collaborate with fellow filmmakers, work on real productions, and experience the complete filmmaking process.
The international recognition received by Taste of Water is therefore a source of great happiness and encouragement for the entire Everest Film Academy community.
When the work of our students and alumni is appreciated on international platforms, it becomes a proud achievement for the whole Academy.
From Everest Film Academy to the International Film Festival Circuit
Taste of Water has now received two official international festival selections.
Its first international selection came from the 72nd International Short Film Festival Oberhausen in Germany, where the film was selected for the Children and Youth Competition.
The film’s selection at the 21st Tasveer Film Festival in Seattle marks its second official international selection and continues its journey across international film platforms.
For Everest Film Academy, this journey demonstrates the importance of creating an environment where emerging filmmakers can develop their voices and gain practical filmmaking experience.
It also reflects the growing opportunities for Nepali filmmakers to take their stories beyond Nepal and introduce them to international audiences.
About Taste of Water
Written and directed by Aayan Pariyar, Taste of Water tells the story of nine-year-old Bire, who lives with his struggling family in a Nepali town.
One day, Bire tastes water from a stranger’s hand pump. To him, the water tastes sweeter and purer than anything he has experienced before.
Fascinated by this simple experience, he secretly returns to the hand pump, risking scolding and danger for another sip.
Through Bire’s journey, the film explores childhood innocence, poverty, inequality, hope, and the search for small moments of happiness in difficult circumstances.
Although the story is rooted in a Nepali setting, its themes connect with universal human experiences.
Taste of Water Screening in Seattle
The 21st Tasveer Film Festival is scheduled to take place from October 13 to 18, 2026, at the Tasveer Film Center in Seattle, Washington, USA.
As part of the festival program, Taste of Water is scheduled to be screened on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The screening will give audiences in Seattle an opportunity to experience the Nepali short film and its story of childhood, poverty, hope, and resilience.
Festival: 21st Tasveer Film Festival
Venue: Tasveer Film Center, Seattle, WA, USA
Festival Dates: October 13–18, 2026
Taste of Water Screening: October 17, 2026 (Saturday)
A Film Created Through Collaboration
Taste of Water is presented by Risalla Production in association with Everest Film Academy and Simal Cinema.
The film is produced by Diwas Shrestha, Jyotsal Rajbhandari, and Prem Prasad Adhikary.
The project brought together emerging filmmakers and creative talents, providing them with practical experience across different departments of film production.
Film Credits
Film: Taste of Water
Writer/Director: Aayan Pariyar
Producers:
- Diwas Shrestha
- Jyotsal Rajbhandari
- Prem Prasad Adhikary
Key Crew:
- Director of Photography: Sharad Mahato
- Assistant Director: Sumitra Kalikote
- Production Manager: Ashish Kandel
- Editor: Animesh Sapkota
- Colorist: Krishna Bhandari
- Sound Supervisor & Mixing: Dikesh Khadgi Shahi
- Sound Post-Production Assistants: Bhuwan Rawal, Aryan Koirala
- Music Composers: Sabin Maharjan, Sarun Manandhar (Author X)
- Production Designers: Sumitra Kalikote, Lekhnath BK, Krish Khadka
- Poster Design: Prabin Gurung
Cast:
- Afanta BK
- Anup Dotel
- Sonika Shahi Thakuri
- Chandra Nepali
- Kamala Parajuli
Supporting the Next Generation of Nepali Filmmakers
Everest Film Academy believes that filmmaking education should extend beyond the classroom. Students need opportunities to create, collaborate, and experience the realities of professional film production.
In this spirit, Diwas Shrestha and Jyotsal Rajbhandari, who also serve on the Board of Directors of Everest Film Academy, actively support and produce films created by the Academy’s students and alumni. Their involvement helps encourage young filmmakers, strengthen their confidence, and provide valuable real-world filmmaking experience.
Taste of Water is one example of this approach—bringing together emerging talents and giving their work an opportunity to reach audiences and film festivals beyond Nepal.
For Everest Film Academy, seeing student and alumni projects receive international recognition is a source of pride and a strong motivation to continue creating opportunities for the next generation of Nepali filmmakers.
International Recognition for Nepali Student Filmmakers
The success of Taste of Water is also a reminder that stories created by Nepali filmmakers can find audiences beyond Nepal.
International festival selections provide filmmakers with opportunities to share their perspectives, meet other filmmakers, participate in conversations, and introduce Nepal’s diverse stories to the world.
For Everest Film Academy, every international selection involving its students or alumni is a moment to celebrate—not only because of the festival recognition, but because it shows that the creative voices developed in Nepal can reach the international stage.
Conclusion
The selection of Taste of Water at the 21st Tasveer Film Festival in Seattle is a proud moment for Aayan Pariyar, the entire film team, and the Everest Film Academy family.
From Oberhausen, Germany, to Seattle, USA, the film continues to take a Nepali story to international audiences. Seeing the creative work of our students and alumni recognized worldwide is a true source of pride and inspiration for Everest Film Academy.
We congratulate Aayan Pariyar and the entire team of Taste of Water and wish the film continued success on its international journey.