Festival · Films
Five categories. One question: does it unsettle you?
Choose the category that matches your running time, then check the technical specification before you submit. Selected titles are published here after 05 October 2026.
Categories
Where your film belongs.
Each category runs its own competition. Selected film lists will appear inside each category once the programme is announced.
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01 · 50–100 min
Feature Films
Receiving feature films (Nepal Premiere) across horror, fantasy, folklore, and related genres from all over the world.
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02 · 5–30 min
Short Films
Receiving short films (Nepal Premiere) across horror, fantasy, folklore, and related genres from all over the world.
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03 · 5–30 min
Student Films
For films made within a recognised film school or university programme. The lowest entry fees of any category.
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04 · Under 5 min
Micro Short Films
The shortest form in the programme, judged as its own competition with its own award.
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05 · 5–30 min
Animation & AI Films
Animated and AI-assisted genre work, screened alongside live action rather than as a curiosity.
Eligibility
Check these four before you pay a fee.
Films violating the eligibility requirements will be rejected, so it is worth two minutes now.
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Requirement
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Specification
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Duration
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Feature films 50–100 minutes · Short films 5–30 minutes · Micro films 0–5 minutes
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Completion date
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Films completed before 1 January 2023 will not qualify for festival selection
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Premiere status
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Films must be at least a ‘Nepal Premiere’ to qualify
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Subtitles
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All submissions under competition segments must carry English subtitles
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*Eligibility criteria for all KHFF 2026 competition categories.
Technical
Delivery specification.
Audio and video formats for the festival screening are communicated after selection.
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Element
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Accepted
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Video container
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MP4, MOV for submission and preview · DCP for festival screening
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Resolution
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1920 × 1080 or higher
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Video codec
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H.264, ProRes
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Audio
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2.0 stereo or 5.1 surround
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Screener delivery
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DCP mailed physically or sent over the internet; encrypted films with remote keys accepted
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*Submission and screening formats accepted by KHFF 2026.
Rules & terms
The full festival rules.
By submitting, applicants agree to all the rules and criteria below and agree to remain bound.
Before submitting
- The film should be submitted as per the eligibility requirements. Films violating the eligibility requirements will be rejected.
- All submissions (national/international) must be made via the online platform filmfreeway.com/KHFF2026. All associated submission fees, as mentioned, need to be paid to complete your submission.
- All submissions must be made before the late deadline of end of September 2026. All films submitted later than the extended deadline will be rejected.
Selection and notification
- The selection process will officially start once the submissions start rolling in. Finalists / selected films will be announced on 05 October 2026.
- The KHFF 2026 selection committee and programmers will have full jurisdiction for the final selection. KHFF 2026 is not liable for any films that are rejected.
Materials due after selection
KHFF 2026 will request any official film materials or information not provided at the time of submission. All missing materials, including the festival screener (DCP for final screening), must reach the programmers before 15 October 2026. Failure to do this will result in the rejection of the selected films.
- Full press kit / info kit — synopsis, posters, credits, director’s bio, statement and pictures, trailer or teaser, previous awards and accolades, and any other relevant information.
- A DCP screener, mailed physically or sent over the internet. Encrypted films with remote keys are accepted.
Storage, promotion and screening
- KHFF 2026 will not store or archive participating films during the festival. All films will be deleted from the cinema server and all KHFF storage mediums after the festival. KHFF may utilise the provided film info and materials for promotional works, including social media, print at the festival venue, and media citation relating to the screening.
- All applicants agree that once films are selected and the selection published, they will be screened to a live audience in Kathmandu Valley, potentially at more than one venue during the festival’s duration.
- KHFF has no policy to pay screening fees for selected films.
Rules are reproduced from the official KHFF 2026 submission terms. Where any wording differs, the FilmFreeway listing is authoritative.
Primary contact
Talk to the programmers before you submit
Questions about eligibility, premiere status, subtitles or DCP delivery are answered directly by the KHFF programming desk in Kathmandu. Write once and a person replies.