Kathmandu: The top five nominees for the third International Nepali Film Awards (INFA) 2026 have been officially announced. The nominations were unveiled during a special ceremony held at Hotel Yak & Yeti in Kathmandu on Friday, jointly organized by INFA Events UK and INFA Nepal. Nomination certificates were also presented to artists and filmmakers shortlisted across 20 competitive categories.

According to the organizers, the nominations were selected from more than 40 Nepali films released between Baisakh 1 and the end of Chaitra of the Nepali year 2082. The selection was made through an impartial evaluation by an independent jury comprising veteran actor Harihar Sharma, veteran actress Gauri Malla, senior filmmaker and actor Ramesh Budhathoki, and senior editor and lyricist Karun Thapa.

Nepal Telecome

Prior to the announcement, an audiovisual presentation introducing the nominated films and filmmakers was screened. Artists, producers, directors, writers, and technical professionals nominated in each category were then invited to the stage to receive their nomination certificates.

The event was attended by prominent personalities from Nepal’s film industry, including actors, producers, directors, writers, technicians, media representatives, and distinguished guests. A welcome and congratulatory video message from members of the INFA family based in the United Kingdom was also presented.

Speaking at the event, jury members Harihar Sharma and Gauri Malla emphasized that the INFA Awards are conducted in a fair, transparent, and credible manner. They clarified that the organizers have no role in determining the winners and that the final results are based solely on the scores awarded by the independent jury. They also expressed confidence that healthy competition would further strengthen Nepal’s film industry.

Award Chief Coordinator Manish Karki said that, building on the successful first and second editions held in London, this year’s awards will be organized in Nepal on an even grander scale with international standards. He added that INFA remains committed to promoting Nepali cinema in the global market and strengthening its international recognition.

On the occasion, veteran actor Madan Krishna Shrestha was announced as the recipient of the INFA Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Nepali film industry. The award carries a cash prize of NPR 111,111, sponsored by HTR Care & Recruitment.

The first and second editions of the INFA Awards were successfully held in London in 2024 and 2025, respectively. The third edition will be organized in Nepal for the first time. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Shrawan 30 at Hotel Yak & Yeti in Kathmandu and is expected to be attended by leading figures from the Nepali film industry, representatives from government and private sectors, members of the diplomatic community, national and international media, and other distinguished guests. The event will be broadcast live on Prime Television.

Highlights of the Top Five Nominations

<strong>1. Best Film</strong>
Aa Bata Aama – Chandra Pant
Unko Sweater – Artmandu Nepal
Koshedhunga – Padam Bahadur Shrestha
Jerry: On Top – Saroj Neupane
Paran – Ranjit Acharya & Shekhar Golchha

<strong>2. Best Director</strong>
Deepak Prasad Acharya – Paran
Nabin Chauhan – Unko Sweater
Saroj Poudel – Koshedhunga
Sudipta – Ramitako Pirati
Suyog Gurung – Jerry: On Top

<strong>3. Best Actor</strong>
Anmol KC – Jerry: On Top
Nazir Hussain – Gunyu Cholo
Neer Shah – Paran
Paul Shah – Aa Bata Aama
Bipin Karki – Unko Sweater

<strong>4. Best Actress</strong>
Aana Sharma – Ramitako Pirati
Jassita Gurung – Jerry: On Top
Miruna Magar – Unko Sweater
Rishma Gurung – Rimai
Surakshya Panta – Koshedhunga

<strong>5. Best Character Actress</strong>
Kabita Ale – Janai Harayeko Manchhe
Laxmi Giri – Shree Bukuro
Bipana Thapa – Aa Bata Aama
Rama Thapaliya – Jante Bakhro
Richa Sharma – Balidan
6. Best Character Actor
Lokendra Lekhak – Jante Bakhro
Mao Tse Gurung – Rimai
Mao Tse Gurung – Unko Sweater
Buddhi Tamang – Maitighar
Santosh Panta – Harsha

<strong>7. Best Action Director</strong>
Raju Tamang – Narsingha Avatar
Samrat Basnet & Raju Tamang – Jerry: On Top
Shree Shrestha – Pariwartan
Shree Shrestha – Ram Naam Satya
Shree Shrestha & Stunner Shyam – Balidan

<strong>8. Best Villain</strong>
Arjun Jung Shahi – Mohar
Divyadev Pant – Hari Bahadurko Jutta
Praveen Khatiwada – Koshedhunga
Hemant Budhathoki – Balidan
Shristi Shrestha – The Blue Light

<strong>9. Best Cinematographer</strong>
Chintan Raj Bhandari – Unko Sweater
Dulip Regmi – Jerry: On Top
Narendra Mainali – The Blue Light
Sujan Prajapati – Maitighar
Shailendra D. Karki – Rimai

<strong>10. Best Supporting Actor</strong>
Aryan Sigdel – Koshedhunga
Prakash Dahal – Abhimanyu
Prakash Saput – Maitighar
Binay Shrestha – Ramitako Pirati
Buddhi Tamang – Viral Gorkhe

<strong>11. Best Supporting Actress</strong>
Aanchal Sharma – Jerry: On Top
Upasana Singh Thakuri – Ke Ghar Ke Dera: Ghar No. 2
Gaumaya Gurung – Rimai
Priyanka Karki – Hari Bahadurko Jutta
Renunath Yogi – Ramitako Pirati

<strong>12. Best Background Score</strong>
Alish Karki & Shailendra – Aa Bata Aama
Bajra Creation – Unko Sweater
Mohak Shrestha – The Blue Light
Rohit Shakya – Rimai
Roman Bajracharya & Nikesh – Ramitako Pirati

<strong>13. Best Debut Actress</strong>
Usha Upreti – Aa Bata Aama
Khushi Karki – Ram Naam Satya
Binita Karki – PR
Bina Raut – Man Binako Dhan
Shyamashree Sherpa – Maitighar

<strong>14. Best Debut Actor</strong>
Ashok Darji – Man Binako Dhan
Manjil Kumar – Koshedhunga
Bimochan Dawadi – Jharipachhiko Indreni
Sameer Shrestha – Ramitako Pirati
Suraj Poudel – PR

<strong>15. Best Female Playback Singer</strong>
Jhuma Limbu – Unko Sweater (“Kafle”)
Manisha Sunar – Narsingha Avatar (“Timro Matra”)
Rachana Rimal – Ram Naam Satya (“Dhagole Bateko”)
Simran Pariyar – Sitamol (“Aunthi Sunaiko”)
Sonia Baraily – Jerry: On Top (“Kurauni”)

<strong>16. Best Male Playback Singer</strong>
S.D. Yogi – Ram Naam Satya (“Humlako Limi”)
Babul Giri – Sitamol (“Aunthi Sunaiko”)
Ravi Oad – Aa Bata Aama (“Laija Khabar”)
Sairaj Khati – Narsingha Avatar (“Timro Hune”)
Sujan Chapagain – Unko Sweater (“Phoolharu”)

<strong>18. Best Lyricist</strong>
Govinda Bhatta – Sitamol (“Mutu Bhitra Khil Chha”)
Prabha Bartaula – Mohar (“Sapana Ho Ki”)
Babul Giri – Hami Teen Bhai (“Maile Jati Dukh”)
Buddhi Sagar – Dhunga Deuta (Ke Ghar Ke Dera: Ghar No. 2)
Harka Saud – Unko Sweater (“Phoolharu”)

<strong>19. Best Screenplay</strong>
Om Pratik – Mohar
Nabin Chauhan & Suraj – Unko Sweater
Buddhi Sagar – Ke Ghar Ke Dera: Ghar No. 2
Bishwas Timilsina – Jerry: On Top
Sudipta Adhikari – Ramitako Pirati

<strong>20. Best Editing</strong>
Krishna Bhandari – Unko Sweater
Nahakul Khadka – Hari Bahadurko Jutta
Nimesh Shrestha – Jerry: On Top
Bande Prasad – Ram Naam Satya
Sunil Siwakoti – Ramitako Pirati

<strong>21. Best Choreographer</strong>
Kabiraj Gahatraj – Sitamol (“Jhumka”)
Kiran Thapa – Jerry: On Top (“Kurauni”)
Ramji Lamichhane – Mohar (“Chahidaina Mohar”)
Smriti Timilsina – Koshedhunga (“Natra Bhane”)
Siyon Shrestha – Ram Naam Satya (“Humlako Limi”)