The U.S. premiere of the feature film “The World’s Happiest Man” and a red-carpet event featuring directors, actors, and special guests were held on June 28, 2025, at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland.

From June 26-29, the Nepal-America International Film Festival (NAIFF), showcased more than 30 films from 14 countries across venues in Silver Spring and Greenbelt, Maryland.

“We’re trying to bridge diverse cultures in the United States through cinema,” said Purna Baraili, president of the Nepal America Film Society, which has hosted NAIFF annually since 2017. This year’s festival opened with Shambhala, a critically acclaimed film directed by Min Bahadur Bham that competed at the Berlin International Film Festival. The closing night featured Pooja, Sir, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and was directed by Deepak Rauniyar, said Baraili. 

Baraili also praised the contributions of Director Binod Paudel, as well as legendary Nepali actor, filmmaker, and comedian Hari Bamsha Acharya, both of whom attended the June 28 screening of The World’s Happiest Man.

Director Paudel told South Asian Herald, “This film is about Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees, who were thrown away from Bhutan in 1998–90. They were initially settled in Nepal for 22 years and later resettled in the United States. This is the story of one person who is staying in the United States and wants to go back to Bhutan. But, Bhutan rejects his visa all the time. So, this film documents the psychological journey of that person.”

He explained that the movie explores the intergenerational experience of exile and adaptation – depicting an older generation longing to return to their homeland, a middle generation caught in between cultures, and a younger generation embracing American identity.

“This is an immigrant story. The movie captures the essence of the psychological journey of these generations at the same time,” he added.

Paudel said the film’s concept began in 2020 in Ohio. During that time, he witnessed multiple suicides each month within the Bhutanese refugee community – often linked to identity crises and psychological trauma. After conducting research and speaking with affected families, he developed the script as a fictional portrayal rooted in real experiences.

Filmed in various locations across Akron, Ohio, The World’s Happiest Man was completed and released in 2025. Paudel expressed his deep appreciation for Actor Acharya, noting, “I was quite lucky that he accepted my script, and decided to act in my film.”

Actor Acharya told South Asian Herald, “I was very impressed with his script. I read the script not once but three times and I was happy that he reached out to me. I have seen his work previously as well. He also made a beautiful Nepali movie called Bulbul. So, I agreed to the offer.”

Bulbul was also screened at NAIFF in a previous edition. Paudel noted his long-standing support for Baraili and the Nepal America Film Society. Acharya shared that although he has visited the U.S. over 20 times, this was his first time attending a film festival in the country.

Acrtress Aditi Pyakurel, a Bhutanese refugee who also acted in The World’s Happiest Man, shared her personal experience with South Asian Herald “It was fun acting in this movie – a story that’s like my own that I’ve seen reflected so much within my community.”

Director Min Bahadur Bham, whose film Shambhala opened the festival, described it as his second feature film as director and writer. Shot at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 6,500 meters in the high Himalayas, he said it is one of the highest human settlements on Earth. 

Asked about his inspiration, Bham told South Asian Herald: “I used to hallucinate about my previous life. I always used to see myself in some strange mountain village, as a young monk. Since that time, I was always curious to discover that place.”

Bham said when he was 12 years old, he wrote a poem about reincarnation and his guru. During his time at high school, he wrote a short story about reincarnation. After completing his first feature in 2015, he traveled to the village that had long appeared in his visions – and was stunned to find it felt familiar in every detail, from its landscapes and monastery to the local monks.

Among those attending the June 28 screening was director and producer Vijaykumar Mirchandani. While his film was not selected for NAIFF this year, he said he came to show support.

“But it’s always good to come and support your peers. I’m here to support one of producers of the film, Kirtana Banskota, who is a friend of mine. She’s also an actor director for my next short film,” he told South Asian Herald.

Banskota, a co-founder of the Nepal America Film Society and NAIFF, traveled from Austin, Texas, to attend the festival. “The festival was founded in 2017 with the sole purpose of not only bridging communities together but also highlighting Nepali films,” she told South Asian Herald.

She noted that NAIFF is supported by Prince George’s County, Maryland, and is committed to offering local filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work alongside international cinema.

Related posts:

Nepal-America International Film Festival Announces 2025 Lineup Featuring 30 Films from 14 Countries 13th Annual DC South Asian Film Festival kicks off in Virginia Maryland Celebrates Immigrant Entrepreneurship at 2025 Asian American Business Conference Gujarati Film Umbarro Premiers in the US After International Success