Kathmandu. The Himalayan Rim Regional Film Exhibition 2025 has formally kicked off at Tribhuvan University (TU) on Sunday.

Organized by Himalayan Rim Film Exhibition, this is the first time in Nepal as a regional cultural initiative. The exhibition presents Chinese animation and digital creations as a cross-border cultural dialogue.

Film screening, creative workshop, cultural exhibition and interactive discussions will be the theme of the event under the slogan ‘Civilizational Mutual Learning, Technological Innovation’. According to the organizers, the main goal of this exhibition is to inform the students of the university about Chinese technology and innovation.

The inaugural session of the program organized at the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Tribhuvan University began with a modern technology-friendly presentation. The Spirit of the Mountains, an animated short film produced entirely by AI, was followed by the screening of a promotional short film prepared using AI (artificial intelligence) technology. Inspired by the “Quanxing Tuo” (full-size rubbing art) technology of Chinese intangible cultural heritage, the film sends a clear message about how AI can reinterpret traditional cultural forms.

Pang Jia, the director of the film, participated in the program via video link and explained about the AI-based visual creation process. Producer Junyan Hwang made the show lively by participating in a live Q&A session with the students. The students who participated in the program said that such interaction has created a lot of curiosity and excitement among them.

‘The Legend of Hey 2’ was screened on the occasion, which attracted a large number of students. Using dynamic storyboard pre-visualisation techniques, the film tells the story of coexistence between humans and characters who symbolize mountains, water, forests, rocks and animals. Most of the students in the audience said that its ecological message, which focuses on the harmony between nature and humans, has had a profound impact on the student audience.

After the screening of the film, a ‘Blind Box’ interactive activity made the program more exciting. The students also had the opportunity to participate in the Q&A program and win various materials.

Students and professors of Tribhuvan University have welcomed the exhibition and believed that it would further strengthen Nepal-China cultural relations.

According to the participants, the event was not limited to entertainment, but also an important opportunity to understand contemporary Chinese animation technology and emerging digital production models. Many of the students have expressed interest in the possibility of collaboration between Nepal and China in the field of digital creativity and animation in the future.

Professor Kundan Aryal, actor Pradeep Khadka, former leader Buddhi Tamang, artist Miss Povi, film director KP Pathak and others were present on the occasion.

The exhibition will run for three days at the University, three days at Kathmandu University and one day at Lumbini Buddhist University.