KATHMANDU: Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol and Australian Ambassador Simon Ernst on Thursday discussed plans for Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) to organize an International Film Festival in the fiscal year 2026/27, along with broader cooperation in the creative industry and tourism.

During the meeting at the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office, Dangol said the festival aims to strengthen the creative industry through cinema and expressed interest in involving Australian filmmakers, artists, directors, and technicians. She also proposed collaboration in film education, professional training, research, and skills development.

Ambassador Ernst welcomed the initiative and expressed Australia’s willingness to cooperate, citing growing people-to-people ties between the two countries. The meeting also covered potential sister-city partnerships, diaspora engagement, and collaboration in urban development and city management.