Documentary The Witness of Yara Won Festival Award
Director Abhas Rijal secured the best short documentary prize at the 29th Religion Today Film Festival.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Documentary
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The documentary 'The Witness of Yara' has won the award for best short documentary at the 29th Religion Today Film Festival in Trento, Italy. Directed by Abhas Rijal, the film chronicles the impacts of climate change in Nepal's Himalayas.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the intersection of independent filmmaking and global environmental crises. By centering the climate narrative on local experiences in the Himalayas, the documentary brings international attention to ecological challenges in the region.
The production spans 15 minutes and 29 seconds of footage captured at an altitude of nearly 3,800 metres. The project competed against a pool of 63 films representing 37 different countries.
The players
Abhas Rijal
He is the director of the award-winning short documentary The Witness of Yara.
Religion Today Film Festival
This annual international event in Trento, Italy, has been dedicated to religious and cultural diversity for 29 years.
The details
The 15-minute documentary explores climate change effects through the perspective of a young woman in Nepal. Cinematographers Narayan GC and Bikal Thapa captured the footage at high altitudes, depicting the environmental shifts impacting the Himalayan region.
Timeline
The Bhotekoshi floods occurred on August 26, 2026.
The film received its award during the September 2026 festival events.
Industry Dynamics
This win reflects the growing trend of niche documentary festivals gaining influence as platforms for environmental advocacy cinema. As the industry shifts toward streaming, these specialized festivals remain vital for showcasing films that address specific geopolitical and climate narratives.
Viewers interested in the film can monitor updates from the festival circuit to see if the documentary receives a broader release. The success of short-format films like this highlights the accessibility of high-impact storytelling for global streaming audiences.
The takeaway
The recognition of this film underscores how personal narratives can effectively communicate the reality of environmental change. Aspiring filmmakers can note that technical challenges, such as shooting at high altitudes, often provide the most compelling visual evidence for climate-focused projects.
Further reading
Explore more award-winning projects in the Documentary section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kathmandupost.
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