Who We Are
The Kathmandu Doc Lab is an initiative by the kimff Foundation dedicated to strengthening the documentary ecosystem in South Asia. Our mission is to move beyond the single event and build a year-round hub that nurtures the region’s most urgent, untold narratives.
A Fantastic Inaugural Year!
Kathmandu Doc Lab launch in May 2025 with 9 projects from across South Asia. The projects were mentored by a team of three extraordinary South Asian filmmakers: Anam Abbas from Pakistan, Arun Bhattarai from Bhutan and Rintu Thomas from India.
The filmmakers pitched their projects to an audience in Kathmandu and later online to 20+ industry reps from around the world. Click below to learn more about our first edition.
Current Program: The 2026 Doc Lab
Our flagship annual event is back with a deeper, more immersive format. This 5-day residential incubator (May 22–27, 2026) brings together 9 selected projects for intensive mentorship, peer review, and a final pitch to international industry representatives.