Amid the bustle of Kathmandu and the stillness of the mighty Himalayas, a self-taught Nepali painter finds healing and self-worth by painting the natural world. Born as a Dalit - an “untouchable” in Nepal’s rigid caste system - Dipesh Nepali quietly defies the odds to pursue his dream of becoming a great artist.
Dipesh Nepali has spent most of his life being told what he cannot become. Labeled “untouchable” by birth, he was expected to stay silent, stay small. Instead, he picked up a paintbrush. The Painter and the Peaks follows Dipesh as he begins work on a new series of Himalayan landscapes - not for fame or recognition, but to make sense of his place in the world. For Dipesh, nature offers something society never has: equality. In the mountains, rivers, and skies, there is no caste - only beauty, stillness, and belonging. The film looks closely at what art truly is: a way to process pain, hold onto hope, and to tell the truth when words fall short. This is not just a story of one man painting - it’s about the quiet power that creation has to restore dignity, challenge injustice, and offer a path forward when no one else will.
I met Dipesh in spring of 2023 near a crowded temple in Kathmandu, where he was painting surrounded by a small crowd of passersby. I filmed him briefly - drawn in by his quiet confidence and focus against a very busy backdrop. We stayed in touch, and as I learned more about his life - a self-taught artist and a Dalit - I knew this was the story I had been searching for.In a time when so much creation feels noisy and performative, Dipesh’s story offers something rare: stillness, honesty, and a deep belief in the power of creating for its own sake. He paints not for praise or likes, but to reclaim a sense of peace and identity. Through nature - where caste and status fall away - he finds equality. This film is about what art becomes when the world gives you no voice: a way to heal, to belong, and to speak anyway.
Painter and the Peaks resonates emotionally through its intimate portrayal of an emerging artist searching for purpose, identity, and connection in one of the most remote regions of the world. The film taps into universal themes of self-expression, isolation, and the transformative power of creativity, making it deeply relatable across cultural and generational lines.
The film speaks to a global, creatively engaged audience drawn to personal storytelling, visual craftsmanship, and immersive experiences in nature. This audience is highly active on digital platforms, responsive to ethically aligned brands, and deeply invested in independent cinema and the creative process.
Following the festival run, the film will be released across select online platforms and shared through branded partnerships, targeted editorial placements, and social media campaigns across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
At the heart of Painter and the Peaks is a commitment to ethical storytelling, cultural representation, and long-term creative support. This film is not only centered around a rising Nepalese artist — it is being made with care to ensure his voice, process, and artistic integrity are respected throughout. As part of this commitment, a portion of our funding will go toward compensating on-screen participants, including the featured artist, through honoraria and profit-sharing structures. We also plan to provide Dipesh with high-quality art supplies, mentorship opportunities, and access to international audiences he might not otherwise reach. In addition, we aim to host community-based screenings, offer educational licensing for schools and art programs, and create content that inspires young artists globally to pursue their craft regardless of background or geography.
We will submit to a curated list of documentary, outdoor, and short film festivals across North America and Europe, including:
In addition to festivals, we plan to host:
