I Am Belmaya

I Am Belmaya A documentary feature set in Nepal about Belmaya's transformational journey as she takes the camera and power into her hands to tell her story

I Am Belmaya synopsis: a feature documentary spanning 14 years, about an uneducated Dalit woman in Nepal, who takes up the camera to tell her story. Dominated by her husband, her family and society, Belmaya is desperate for independence. Living in a small, dark room with her abusive husband and their baby daughter, Belmaya at 21, has given up hope of finding happiness. Rewind to 2006, when Belmaya

, then a feisty teenager living in a girls’ home in Pokhara, participated in a photo project. Impassioned and inspired, she was eager to change her discriminatory world through photography. But that window closed when the home locked away her camera. Now she gets a second chance, this time to train in documentary filmmaking. But are her resentful husband and conservative community ready for this? An inspirational and moving tale of rebellion, courage and hope, shot over five years, as Belmaya battles to takes charge of her story.

Looking forward to our Scandinavian premiere in Copenhagen! Global Health Film Days
28/03/2025

Looking forward to our Scandinavian premiere in Copenhagen! Global Health Film Days

We’re excited to announce our Scandinavian premiere at the University of Copenhagen’s Global Health Film Days festival i...
04/03/2025

We’re excited to announce our Scandinavian premiere at the University of Copenhagen’s Global Health Film Days festival in April. The film is not available online in Scandinavia, so if you’re in Denmark on 12 April, this is your one opportunity to see it!

It will be preceded by a Masterclass on 11 April by Sue Carpenter , exploring such issues as women’s rights and the challenges of the patriarchal and caste system; issues around documentary filmmaking, working as a Westerner with other cultures; how to work sensitively and collaboratively, navigating power roles of the director-subject; and how social change can be driven by media/film. The class is free and open to all on a first come first serve basis, but you must register.

Booking links and details below. Look forward to seeing you there. Come and say hello!

https://globalhealth.ku.dk/film/programme/masterclass-filmmaking-and-social-change/

Time: 11 Apr. 2025, 14:00-15:00

https://globalhealth.ku.dk/film/programme/a-womans-lens-into-her-own-life-i-am-belmaya/

Time: 12 Apr. 2025, 19:15-21:30

Place: Cinemateket, Gothersgade 55, 1123 Copenhagen.

Organizer:

A great panel talk after the screening of at Global Health Film Festival Zanzibar with director Sue Carpenter and co-D...
14/09/2024

A great panel talk after the screening of at Global Health Film Festival Zanzibar with director Sue Carpenter and co-Director and subject Belmaya Nepali joining on zoom. Thanks so much to Gerri McHugh for shining a spotlight on global health through her international film festivals and to local partner and founder .jiddawi; to for thoughtful, insightful moderation, and to panellists Joy Gikandi, Dovetail Impact Foundation; , Uganda; and photographer . Inspiring and moving for all. 🙏

Dancing girls: at the age of 14; her daughter Bipana, aged nearly 12, filmed yesterday dancing at festivities for Krish...
27/08/2024

Dancing girls: at the age of 14; her daughter Bipana, aged nearly 12, filmed yesterday dancing at festivities for Krishna’s birthday.

Tomorrow! At , Mon 12 Aug, 6pm - rare cinema screening of along with ’s latest film Stronger featuring an original son...
11/08/2024

Tomorrow! At , Mon 12 Aug, 6pm - rare cinema screening of along with ’s latest film Stronger featuring an original song by (who will be there in person!).

Last few tickets via link in bio!

time for and Bipana in . See the movie on the big screen this summer! 12 Aug - link in bio.
22/07/2024

time for and Bipana in . See the movie on the big screen this summer! 12 Aug - link in bio.

Happy birthday to ! And see how Bipana has grown! 🎁🎊🎂🎉🌞
17/07/2024

Happy birthday to ! And see how Bipana has grown! 🎁🎊🎂🎉🌞

05/07/2024
Throwback to 2007 when the My World My View photo project culminated in an exhibition of the girls’ photos at . This pho...
04/07/2024

Throwback to 2007 when the My World My View photo project culminated in an exhibition of the girls’ photos at . This photo by for .official reveals the early connection between and - later to become co-directors of .

22/04/2024

COME TO OUR 11TH 🎬 YEAR of screening FREE films all over From 2 - 24 MAY 24. We have 10 x feature films, 2 x short film nights and our highly anticipated 48 Hour Film Challenge! Full programme here: https://loom.ly/gb74j_o
All made possible by the generous support of Pedder, Boki's Hair, Brothers Green, Half Moon Dental Centre, Herne Hill Sports, Jarr Market, Lowie our volunteers and venues. See you there! ❤️🍿🎥

Screenings are FREE - No tickets - No need to book - Just turn up!

proudly supporting

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Tideturner Films
London

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I Am Belmaya synopsis: Headstrong Nepali orphan Belmaya has endured a lifetime of abuse and discrimination. At 14, living in an organisation, she learns to use a camera with British photographer Sue Carpenter. Through the viewfinder she glimpses a better life. But after Sue leaves, they lose touch and the home locks away her camera. She leaves and meets her husband, hoping marriage will bring independence. But that is not to be. By the age of 21, Belmaya is living in a windowless room with her abusive husband and baby daughter. She has given up on finding happiness. But her life is about to change. In 2014, she embarks on a documentary filmmaking course. While struggling against domestic oppression and to care for her young daughter, Belmaya not only learns technical film skills but ultimately finds her voice and takes charge of her life.

Belmaya’s first film, Educate Our Daughters, has been selected for 5 international Film Festivals, including Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival, Chicago South Asian Film Festival and Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival.