April 23, 2026 at 11:00:00 PM
AFS Cinema
Austin Premiere
New Moon Rain
USA, Nepal | Short
2025 | 17 mins | Nepali, English
Shown as part of the Texas showcase
Best student film, Dallas Movie Fest, 2025
China International New Media Short Film Festival (CSFF)
Semi Finalist, Tianjin International Academic Film Festival, USA/China, 2025
A devoted father from Nepal, a moment of discipline toward his daughter, so ordinary where he came from, leaves marks that speak differently in the USA. Accusations rise, careers fall, and the home he built turns away. As whispers of judgment close in, memories of his parents offer solace before he disappears into the new moon night.
Restoration Process
Film restoration process
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Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation
About the Artist
Born in Urlabari, Nepal, Santosh Dahal is a filmmaker whose work moves between memory, migration, and longing. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Film Studies and a Master’s degree in Sociology from Tribhuvan University, and earned his MFA in Cinematic Arts from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he later taught filmmaking.
His films explore quiet inner worlds shaped by place and absence. MRIGATRISHNA (Mirage) (2021) premiered at the Raindance Film Festival and received international recognition, including awards at the Nepal America Film Festival. His earlier work, SANKALPA (The Pledge) (2016), was also recognized internationally, including the Singapore internal film festival. He has also worked as an assistant director on the feature film Dying Candle.
Santosh is currently developing his debut feature film, The Flowers of Wild Sugarcane.
Trailer
For English subtitles, make sure to turn on the YouTube closed captions.
Credits
Director:
Santosh Dahal
Writer:
Santosh Dahal
Producer(s):
Deepa Guragain
Prem Prasad Adhikary
Film Editor:
Niranjan Raj Bhetwal
Santosh Dahal
Raj Ballav Koirala
Aruna Karki
Biyansha Neupane
Bikash Neupane
Nandav Raj Das
Grishma Upreti
Nischal Pokhrel