Nepali cinema is gaining international momentum, and Shakti is leading the charge. Buffalo 8, the Los Angeles–based production and distribution company, has officially acquired the rights to distribute Shakti, marking a significant step for Nepali storytelling on a global scale. The seven-year deal covers audiences across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, giving the film a wide platform to share its message of resilience and change.
A Story Rooted in Struggle and Redemption
Set in Kathmandu, Shakti tells the story of a single mother whose life takes a harrowing turn when her nine-year-old daughter develops a mysterious illness. When modern medicine fails to provide answers, she seeks alternative guidance from a local shaman. The mother’s quest not only becomes a fight for her daughter’s survival but also a deeper journey of healing, hope, and rediscovery.
A Reflection of Nepal’s Transformation
Director Nani Sahra Walker—formerly an executive producer at the LA Times Studios—infuses her narrative with the same spirit of political and social transformation that has recently defined Nepal. She connects the film’s themes to the nation’s historic shift, where young people helped dismantle entrenched power systems and paved the way for Nepal’s first female prime minister, a long-time champion of women’s rights.
According to Walker, Shakti mirrors the resilience of a nation grappling with issues of sexual violence, caste inequality, and government corruption. By weaving these realities into the film, Walker not only tells a deeply Nepali story but also addresses universal struggles for justice and dignity.
A Director with a Strong Track Record
Walker brings an impressive background to the project. Her work includes overseeing acclaimed short documentaries such as The Last Repair Shop, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short in 2024. Her first feature-length documentary, Other Nature (2012), explored LGBTQ rights in Nepal and was widely showcased at festivals including BFI Flare, Outfest, and Frameline.
A Global Team Behind the Camera
Acclaimed Japanese cinematographer Keiko Nakahara lensed Shakti. With more than a decade of experience, Nakahara has contributed to films such as Mary Kom, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, and The Jane Austen Book Club. The ensemble cast features prominent Nepali actors including Laxmi Bardewa (Bulbul), Menuka Pradhan (Saili), and Shristi Shrestha (The Red Suitcase), alongside newcomer Polina Oli.
The film also boasts heavyweight executive producers such as Vrushali Satarkar, Snehal Fulzele, Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor, Grady Craig, Gannon Kenney, and Rakesh Mehra—whose credits include The Warrior and Seven Years in Tibet.
Film Festival Journey Ahead
Shakti will make its world premiere at the Heartland International Film Festival in Indianapolis. It will then continue its festival circuit with screenings at the Hawaii International Film Festival, the Tasveer South Asian Film Festival in Seattle, and the Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto.
Adding to its milestones, the production marks the first use of the ARRI ALEXA 35 camera system in Nepal, supported by ARRI’s International Support Program, which champions new voices in cinema.
A Landmark for Nepali Film
With Buffalo 8’s backing, Shakti is poised to introduce international audiences to a story that captures both the personal and political struggles of a nation in flux. More than just a family drama, the film serves as a powerful commentary on Nepal’s fight for justice, gender equality, and social reform—issues that resonate far beyond its borders.
