Nigam Bhandari (Co-Founder/Director)

Producer/Writer/Director

Nigam Bhandari is a film producer and director from Kathmandu, Nepal. He began as a production manager and line producer while finishing film studies, working on features, commercials, documentaries, and music videos. He co‑founded Cryptid Films, known for acclaimed Nepali short films. Nigam focuses on stories from society’s margins, especially environment, identity, and sustainability.

Notable work:

2017: Produced A Year by Jisun Jamie Lee — premiered at Telluride.

2018: Produced Jaalgedi – A Curious Girl — premiered at Busan; won Best Short Film (KPlus) at Berlinale.

2019: Produced Black Goat by Tang Yi — premiered at Austin; won at St. Louis; Oscar-qualified.

2019: Directed debut KALAM.

2021: Produced Tang Yi’s All the Crows in the World — won the Palme d’Or for short film at Cannes.

2021: Produced Yet Another Winter — screened at Busan Asian Wide Angle.

2022: Produced Wheels on the Bus — selected for the Berlin International Film Festival.

2022: Line producer on Lori – Melancholy of My Mother's Lullabies — first Nepali film in Competition at Cannes; received a Special Mention.

2023: Produced Messenger of the God by Nigam Bhandari through Busan Asian Film School (AFiS).

He now produces and distributes short and feature films at all stages, from development to release.