A Landmark Digital Release
The powerful Nepali narrative feature Shakti is set for its exclusive global digital premiere. Beginning May 22, audiences in the United States and United Kingdom will be able to stream the film on Prime Video. A trailer has been released to build anticipation for the launch, with distribution services managed by Buffalo 8.
A Mother’s Race Against Time
The film is set in Kathmandu and follows a mother’s desperate quest to protect her nine-year-old daughter from a sudden and horrifying change. Their journey forces them to confront deep personal trauma and a legal system fundamentally unequipped to deliver justice. At its core, Shakti critiques Nepal’s statute of limitations on prosecuting sexual violence cases, mirroring a broader, global call for legislative accountability and reform.
From Festival Darling to Streaming Spotlight
Before its streaming debut, Shakti will screen at the 44th CAAMFest in the San Francisco Bay Area on May 10, an event presented by the Center for Asian American Media. The film has already garnered significant critical acclaim and numerous awards on the international festival circuit, collecting top prizes at the Heartland International Film Festival, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the International Film Festival of India, and the Hawaii International Film Festival.
The Filmmaker’s Vision
Shakti marks the debut narrative feature from filmmaker Nani Sahra Walker, whose previous works include the documentary Other Nature and an executive producer credit on the Academy Award-winning short film, The Last Repair Shop. Walker notes that the audience response has been overwhelmingly significant.
“The conversations we’ve seen at festivals – especially with younger audiences – point to an urgent demand for stories that confront the abuse of power in society,” Walker stated. She added, “Every gatekeeper who called this story ‘too taboo’ only reinforced the film’s point. Naming these realities is the first step toward dismantling that culture.”
A Deeply Personal Project
The film was financed by Dalit entrepreneurs Snehal Fulzele and Vrushali Satarkar, for whom supporting the project was a personal mission. They received additional backing from the Gerbode Foundation and the ARRI International Support Program.
“As Dalit entrepreneurs, supporting Shakti was deeply personal for us,” Fulzele and Satarkar said. “The film confronts uncomfortable truths with rare authenticity, and we believe stories like this have the power to shift perspectives and spark meaningful change.”
Star-Studded Collaboration
The film stars Laxmi Bardewa, Menuka Pradhan, Shristi Shrestha, Maoste Gurung, and Akash Nepali, and introduces Polina Oli in her screen debut. Keiko Nakahara served as the director of photography. The score was composed by William Ryan Fritch and distributed globally by Buffalo 8 Music. The soundtrack features an original track, “Naam,” from Nepali rapper Dmriti, complemented by sarangi contributions from musician Shyam Nepali.
