Apple Entertainment to distribute Nepal’s first global animated feature 'Lost In Mandala'

KATHMANDU: 'Lost In Mandala', Nepal’s first animated feature film created for international markets, will reach cinema-goers through Apple Entertainment following a deal securing distribution rights for Nepal and selected international territories.

Incessant Rain Studios is developing the feature in partnership with NIMB Ace Capital, a Nepal-based investment banking and capital market services company, bringing together creative, production and financial resources to target international markets.

“With 'Lost In Mandala', we are proud to bring a story inspired by Nepal to the world and demonstrate the immense potential of our creative industry to tell globally relevant stories,” said Nakim Uddin, Executive Producer of 'Lost In Mandala', Chairman of Apple Entertainment and Co-Founder of QFX Cinemas and Labim Mall.

“'Lost In Mandala' gives us an exciting opportunity to take a story inspired by Nepal to wider audiences, and we are proud to bring this culturally rooted film to theatres through our distribution network,” added Bipashyana Shrestha, Managing Director of Apple Entertainment.

The animated fantasy adventure draws upon the spiritual traditions, mythology and landscapes of the Himalayas. The narrative follows a twelve-year-old girl and her friends who become trapped in a mysterious alternative dimension. Confronting a sinister dark force, the group must navigate an unfamiliar world and rely on love, courage and compassion to save their home.

The project combines creative expertise from both Nepal and Hollywood. It is created and directed by Kiran Bhakta Joshi, Founder and Co-CEO of Incessant Rain Studios. A former Visual Effects Supervisor at Walt Disney Studios, Joshi previously worked on major productions such as 'The Lion King', 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'.

The screenplay is written by Zack Stentz, whose Hollywood writing credits include 'Thor', 'X-Men: First Class', 'Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous', 'Rim of the World', 'Agent Cody Banks' and television series including 'Fringe', 'The Flash' and 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles'.

Deepa Chipalu Joshi, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Incessant Rain Studios, serves as Producer and oversees the film’s production and international partnerships. Her credits as an Executive VFX Producer include 'Yellowstone', 'Gangs of London' and 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes'.

The partnership adds a locally rooted animated title to the portfolio of Apple Entertainment, a theatrical distributor in Nepal. The firm already serves as the official distribution partner for major Hollywood studios, including Disney, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros.