Short films lab to mentor emerging filmmakers

Chalachitra Lab, a film mentorship organisation is organising “Short Film Development Lab,” an intensive five-day mentorship and pitching platform for emerging filmmakers working on short fiction projects at the script stage.

Chalachitra Lab, a newly founded non-profit focused on dynamic creative community, promoting films and emerging talent across South Asia, is undertaking the initiative in collaboration with the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF). 

According to the lab’s founder Prabin Kumar Rawat, the short film lab supports filmmakers in developing their style and entering the international film scene.

Six selected projects will receive comprehensive mentorship, supporting their journey from development through to distribution. 

Sushant Shrestha, co-founder of the Chalachitra Lab, says that the initiative will support completed films with international festival distribution strategies. Selected teams, each with a director and producer, will receive mentorship to refine scripts and prepare pitches. As part of the program, selected teams will participate in an industry pitch session during KIMFF, with opportunities to network and engage with industry professionals.

The workshop will be held from May 21 to 25 and is open to fiction short films (10–25 minutes) at the script stage. Applications closes on April 13, with only six projects to be selected from across Nepal. On the final day of the festival, a jury will select the best project, along with other awards including production equipment and post-production support awards for filmmakers, says Rawat.