Akash Adhikari

Prem Bahadur Basnet is a Nepali film director known for his contribution to the early development of Nepali cinema and for directing the culturally important film Kumari.After completing his B.Ed., Basnet received scholarships to study abroad, including one from a university in Hawaii, USA, and another to study scriptwriting at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune, India. While many students at the time were going to the United States for higher education, Basnet chose to pursue film studies in Pune because of his strong interest in cinema.He studied there for two years, going to Pune in 1962 and returning to Nepal in 1964. After returning, he worked at Nepal’s Information Department, where he became involved in cultural and media-related activities.Having studied filmmaking, Basnet was more interested in creating original and artistic films rather than purely commercial cinema. During this period, when Nepal was invited to represent the country in international film festivals, he decided to make a film based on the living goddess Kumari tradition of the Newar community in Kathmandu.This idea eventually led to the creation of Kumari, which became an important cultural film portraying Nepal’s traditions and social life. Through his work, Prem Bahadur Basnet helped introduce culturally rooted and artistic storytelling to Nepali cinema.

Barsha Siwakoti is a versatile Nepali actress and model recognized for her natural charm, graceful performances, and strong presence in both commercial and critically acclaimed films. Born on 6 April 1993, she entered the industry through modeling and music videos before making her film debut in Nai Nabhannu La 2 (2014). Her breakthrough came with Pashupati Prasad (2016), earning her a FAAN Award nomination for Best New Actress.She has since appeared in a wide range of genres—from action‑comedy to drama—solidifying her reputation as a dependable and expressive performer. Beyond films, she is active in brand endorsements, music videos, and social campaigns, maintaining a strong public following.

Mukunda Kishor Bhattarai is a veteran Nepali film artist known for his multi‑disciplinary contributions as an actor, writer, screenplay/dialogue creator, and story writer, active since 1989. His work spans some of the most influential films of the 1990s, especially Bhariya, Anartha, and Daju Bhai.   As Actor Tilahari (1989) Kanyadan (1990) Pariwar (1991) Deuki (1993) Daju Bhai (1995) Anartha (1996) Bhariya (1996) Pachheuri (1997) Gham Chaya (1998) Timi Nai Baseu Mero Manma (2000) Ko Hola Mero Mayalu (2008) Mero Manko Sathi (2013) Timro Kasam (2013) Euta Mancheko Maya (2014)

Zaun Yonzan is a Nepali filmmaker best known as the director of Crawling Crows: Aankha, Nepal’s first film to win Best Film at the 62nd Asia Pacific Film Festival in 2025. His work blends bold visual language with socially rooted storytelling, positioning him among the new-generation directors bringing Nepali cinema to global attention.