Kathmandu: The National Assembly has unanimously passed the long-awaited Film Bill, marking a significant step toward reforming and modernizing Nepal’s film sector.
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| source: social media |
The proposal to pass the bill was presented during Wednesday’s session of the National Assembly by Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Shraddha Shrestha, on behalf of Prime Minister Sushila Karki. The bill received unanimous support from the members present in the Assembly. It was originally introduced by the then Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.
The legislative journey of the bill began when it was registered in the National Assembly on Baisakh 14, 2082 B.S. It was formally tabled in the Assembly on Jestha 6, 2082 B.S., followed by a general discussion among lawmakers on Asar 9, 2082 B.S. After the initial deliberations, the bill was sent to the Legislative Management Committee on Shrawan 14, 2082 B.S. for clause-by-clause discussions and detailed review.
Following thorough examination and necessary refinements, the committee endorsed the bill and presented it back to the Assembly, where it was finally passed.
The government has expressed confidence that once the bill is enacted into law, it will significantly strengthen Nepal’s film industry by recognizing it as an important social, cultural, and entertainment-based industry.
The new law aims to create a more structured and systematic framework for the development, expansion, promotion, and regulation of domestic films.
One of the key objectives of the bill is to promote Nepal as an attractive tourism destination through cinema. It also seeks to establish a formal film review system before the screening of both domestic and foreign films. Additionally, the legislation intends to encourage the growth of the local film industry by introducing modern regulatory mechanisms and policy reforms.
The new law will replace and update the Film Act of 2026 B.S., making it more relevant to present-day realities. It is expected to align the film sector with Nepal’s inclusive and federal governance structure while incorporating advancements in technology and contemporary media practices.
However, the bill has yet to complete the constitutional process required to become law. It will now be forwarded to the House of Representatives. If passed there, it will return to the National Assembly for final procedures. Afterward, it will be sent to the President through the Chairperson of the National Assembly.
The passage of the Film Bill is seen as a major milestone in reforming Nepal’s film industry and adapting it to the changing social, cultural, and technological landscape of the country.
