Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: The 2026 Himalayan Rim Film Exhibition kicked off in Nepal on Friday.

The exhibition, organized under the theme “Unity through Martial Arts, Relation through Light”, focuses on the creative aesthetics and spirit of heroism of Chinese wuxia (martial arts) films, and bridges cross-cultural dialogue between young and Chinese filmmakers through modern imaging technology and digital aesthetics.

Renowned filmmakers, cultural scholars from China and Nepal, and university guests participated in the program to explore new possibilities of Eastern storytelling with the audience.

As part of the event, AI Film Workshop was organized in collaboration with Nepal International Film Festival. Peter Pan, an AIGC researcher at the Hangzhou base of China Media Group’s Film Channel, participated as a guest trainer and explained the entire creation process of converting images into videos using AI. He explained how cutting-edge technology is redefining visual beauty.

The energetic AI promotional video began with a combination of cultural elements from China, Nepal, and India. After this, Keson He participated online and informed about the AI movie project “Liao Zhai 2079” of China Movie Channel Hangzhou Studio.

He highlighted the technical structure and creative concept of the AI trailer, and how artificial intelligence can give new life to the traditional Wusia story.

Filmmakers from China and Nepal discussed how traditional beauty can be expressed in contemporary context and what opportunities globalization has created for its development. They shared new possibilities to present the stories of diverse cultures to the world.

The screening of Wuxia, the highest-grossing film in the history of Chinese cinema, “Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert”, drew a large crowd of professors and students. Using digital visual effects and animation technology, the film brings to life the journey of a desert guard who travels through the western terrain to protect a mysterious child. At the same time, it effectively illustrates the aesthetics of the moral ideal and honor of “keeping our word at all costs” in the Chinese Wuxia tradition.

In a dialogue with the producer, the film’s producer Liu Di spoke about the innovative use of motion capture and virtual production techniques in battle scenes shot in the desert. He explained how digital image technology is expanding the dimensions of local storytelling and presented the limitless possibilities created by combining technology and beauty.

Featuring artistically designed film content and cultural creative products, “Wusia Fair” brought the world of Wussia to life on screen while providing viewers with an interactive cultural experience.

The first phase held at Tribhuvan University (TU) generated an enthusiastic debate on the culture and film technology across the campus. After the screening, many professors and students said that they were impressed by the visual effects created by the Chinese Wuxia film using modern imaging techniques. According to them, the reinvention and reimagining of traditional aesthetics has also provided an important impetus for local storytelling.

Conveying emotion through the screen and friendship through Busia, the exhibition was not limited to film screenings, but also an important opportunity for exchange and mutual learning between civilizations. Filmmakers from China and Nepal exchanged new ideas through dialogues, while young students gained a common experience from screening films. It has brought both sides closer together through technology and storytelling.