SATV, Kathmandu, Aug. 26 - Fifteen visual artists participated in a Paint and Celebrate event at Bhaktapur Durbar Square on Sunday to celebrate the international success of the Nepali film Elephants in the Fog.

Inspired by the film, the artists created their own original artworks.

Directed by Abinash Bikram Shah, Elephants in the Fog became the first Nepali film to be officially selected for the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival. It also won the Jury Prize in the same section, marking a historic achievement for Nepali cinema.

The day-long creative event was organised with support from the British Council and the French Cultural Centre in Kathmandu. 

Painters, printmakers and conceptual artists took part in the programme. They explored the film’s atmosphere, emotions, themes and international journey through their own artistic styles and perspectives.

Producer of the film Anup Poudel said, “The film itself was inspired by a photograph by American photographer Nan Goldin. So, we wanted to create a platform that brings different art forms together. Paint and Celebrate is part of that effort.”

Artists from Lalitkala Campus and Kathmandu University School of Arts and Design, as well as emerging and established artists, participated in the event.

Artists from different parts of Nepal, including Sudurpaschim, Lumbini, Birgunj and Pokhara, presented a variety of styles and perspectives.

The artworks included realism, surrealism, printmaking, textile art and semi-abstract mixed media. Rather than directly recreating scenes from the film, the artists drew freely from its themes, characters, emotions and cultural meanings.

The artworks created during the event will be exhibited at Dali-La Hotel from August 27 to 29. 

Elephants in the Fog is set to be released in cinemas across Nepal on September 4, coinciding with the Krishna Janmashtami festival.