The film "Elephants in the Fog" won the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize [1] at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival [3].

This victory marks the first time a Nepali film has won an award at the Cannes Film Festival [2]. The win provides a global platform for South Asian cinema and highlights the lived experiences of marginalized communities in Nepal.

Directed by Abinash Bikram Shah, the feature film focuses on the Kinnar community, transgender individuals in Nepal. Shah said he created the work to provide visibility to this community and to address social taboos surrounding gender identity [4]. By bringing these narratives to France, the filmmaker sought to represent the complexities of South Asian society on a global cinematic stage [4].

The Un Certain Regard section of the festival typically recognizes films with unconventional styles or those that offer a unique perspective on the human condition [1]. The jury's decision to award the prize to "Elephants in the Fog" recognizes both the technical achievement of the production and its social urgency [1].

Shah's work arrives at a time of evolving social dynamics within Nepal. The film serves as a cultural bridge, translating local struggles with identity and acceptance into a visual language accessible to international audiences [5]. The recognition in May 2026 [3] signals a growing interest from major European festivals in diverse storytelling from the Himalayan region [2].

“The first Nepali film to win a Cannes award”

This award represents a significant shift in the international visibility of Nepali cinema, moving beyond niche ethnographic interest into competitive artistic recognition. By centering the Kinnar community, the film leverages the prestige of the Cannes Film Festival to challenge social taboos within Nepal and globally, potentially influencing how transgender identities in South Asia are portrayed and perceived in mainstream media.