Documentary on Scottish Brain Injury Survivors' Everest Journey to Screen at NIFF Film Festival

Kathmandu. The documentary film 'The Everest Dream,' based on the inspiring Everest journey of individuals from Scotland who suffered Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), is set to be screened at the upcoming NIFF Film Festival. NIFF (Nepal International Film Festival) is scheduled to be held in Kathmandu on April 5. The film is directed by Ganesh Pandey.

The film, which took about a year and a half to produce, tells the story of an extraordinary dream held by several individuals struggling with life after serious accidents. Despite doctors stating that walking, speaking, or living a normal life would be difficult again, they refused to give up and aimed to reach Everest Base Camp in Nepal. The film will showcase their journey starting from Scotland, their arrival in Kathmandu, and the difficult yet emotional trek through the Khumbu region towards Everest Base Camp. The journey also features some challenging moments—one member briefly separating from the group and another member having to stop due to health issues before reaching Base Camp.

The film aims to deliver the message that new dreams can still be pursued even after a brain injury. Pandey added, "This is the first time such patients have collectively climbed to the base of Sagarmatha (Everest). Five patients and their families, totaling 7 people, reached Everest Base Camp under the leadership of James Lamb of The Little Sherpa Foundation."

Pandey's previous documentaries, 'Survivors by Fate,' won more than 17 international awards and was screened in over 32 countries. Similarly, the documentary 'Co-Husband,' based on the practice of polyandry, has also won more than a dozen excellent documentary film awards.

The film production involved contributions from Associate Producer Sharda Gaire, Cinematographers Suresh Shrestha and Niraj Panthi, Editor Ishwar Koirala, Musicians Jugal Dangol and Sandeep Sardar, and Narrator Kaushal Ghimire.