The Nepali film industry celebrates a major global achievement as Taste of Water, a powerful short film directed by Aayan Pariyar, has been officially selected at the prestigious International Short Film Festival Oberhausen (72nd Edition), Germany.
Recognized as one of the world’s most historic, influential, and respected short film festivals, Oberhausen stands as a landmark platform for cinematic excellence. Being selected here is not just an achievement—it is a moment of global recognition for Nepali cinema.
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A Historic Global Recognition for Nepal
Held annually in Oberhausen, the festival showcases groundbreaking films from visionary filmmakers across continents. This year, Taste of Water has been selected in the Children and Youth Competition – Official Selection, a category known for highlighting impactful storytelling that resonates across generations and cultures.
Representing Nepal on such a prestigious international stage is a moment of immense pride for the entire team and a significant milestone for the country’s growing film industry.
Film Presentation and Production
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.
Notably, Diwas Shrestha and Jyotsal Rajbhandari also serve as Board of Directors at Everest Film Academy. Their dedication goes beyond leadership, they actively produce films created by their own students to boost morale, encourage creativity, and provide real-world filmmaking exposure. This initiative continues to empower young filmmakers and elevate Nepal’s presence in global cinema.
Film Details
Film Title: Taste of Water
Writer/Director: Aayan Pariyar
Produced By:
- Diwas Shrestha
- Jyotsal Rajbhandari
- Prem Prasad Adhikary
Key Crew:
- Director of Photography: Sharad Mahato
- Assistant Director: Sumitra Kalikote
- Production Manager: Ashish Kandel
Cast
- Afanta BK
- Anup Dotel
- Sonika Shahi Thakuri
- Chandra Nepali
- Kamala Parajuli
Technical Team
- Sound Supervisor & Mixing: Dikesh Khadgi Shahi
- Sound Post-Production Assistants: Bhuwan Rawal, Aryan Koirala
- Editor: Animesh Sapkota
- Colorist: Krishna Bhandari
- Music Composers: Sabin Maharjan, Sarun Manandhar (Author X)
- Production Designers: Sumitra Kalikote, Lekhnath BK, Krish Khadka
- Lighting Team: Akash Tharu, Krish Khadka, Milan Shrestha
- Poster Design: Prabin Gurung
Synopsis: Taste of Water
Nine-year-old Bire lives with his struggling family in a Nepali town where life feels heavy and resources are scarce. One day, he tastes water from a stranger’s hand pump, sweeter and purer than anything he has ever known.
Drawn by its magic, he secretly returns, risking scolding and danger for a simple sip that feels like hope. Through Bire’s small but determined journey, Taste of Water reveals the quiet struggles of poverty, the innocence of childhood, and the search for small miracles in an unforgiving world.
Everest Film Academy Alumni on the Global Stage
This international recognition highlights the growing impact of Everest Film Academy alumni, who are continuously pushing creative boundaries and representing Nepal worldwide.
By supporting student-driven projects and producing emerging filmmakers’ work, the academy is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of Nepali cinema.
A Proud Moment for Nepali Cinema
This achievement is not just about a single film, it represents Nepal, its culture, stories, and creative spirit on one of the biggest cinematic platforms in the world.
As Taste of Water prepares to be screened in Germany, the team proudly carries Nepal’s flag to the global arena, marking a new chapter of international recognition and artistic excellence.
Conclusion
The selection of Taste of Water at the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen is a defining moment for Nepali filmmaking. It reflects a new wave of storytellers who are ready to share authentic, powerful narratives with the world.
With strong support from institutions like Everest Film Academy and passionate filmmakers behind the project, Nepal’s presence in global cinema is rising stronger than ever.
