NITFest 2025 from March 19

Himal Press 13 Mar 2025

KATHMANDU: The third edition of the Nepal International Theatre Festival (NITFest) will feature 17 plays from 12 countries.

Mandala Theater, the organizers of the festival, released the event schedule through a press release on Thursday. The event will be held on March 19-25.

According to Kedar Shrestha, the coordinator of the NITFest 2025, 12 plays – two from Nepal and 10 from foreign countries – were selected from 125 entries. Likewise, the festival will feature one play from the organizer Mandala Theater and a play each from three host cities – Pokhara, Bharatpur and Belbari.

The festival will see participation from China, Germany, India, Iran, Lithuania, Norway, Scotland, Tunisia and United Kingdom, along with Nepal.

The festival will feature other events such as panel discussions, seminars, open-air performances, theater photo exhibitions, encouragement award ceremonies, cultural and artistic stalls etc. “One of the key highlights of NITFest 2025 is that the plays and programs are being extended to three different cities. Theatre artists and groups from Chitwan, Pokhara and Belbari are organizing independent theatre festivals where 8 plays from NITFest 2025 will be showcased,” Mandala Theater said in the press release.

The festival is being held at the Mandala Theater with the theme “Theatre for Social Transformation: The Light of Indigenous Knowledge.” Actor and theatre artist Dayahang Rai is the Festival Director of NITFest 2025.

Theatrical Performances