A few words
About Us
get to know us
We are here to empower and support marginalized women.
The Shanta Foundation, founded by Shanta Nepali, is an organization based in Kathmandu, Nepal, dedicated to using the arts for positive social impact and empowerment. With a strong belief in the transformative power of storytelling, the foundation aims to support young women from marginalized communities in realizing their dreams and potential in fields like media and the creative industry.
The foundation’s programs and initiatives address a range of social issues, including education, health, environmental sustainability, and social justice, with a focus on marginalized communities. By collaborating with artists, organizations, and community groups, the foundation fosters creativity and utilizes the arts as a means of social engagement and empowerment.
Through their work, the Shanta Foundation seeks to bridge gaps, unite people, and inspire action towards creating a more just and inclusive society. They invite individuals to join their journey, explore their projects, and contribute to the vision of a world where everyone, regardless of background, can fulfill their aspirations and make a positive impact on society.
Approach
We use arts for social impact and empowerment through a multifaceted approach.
The foundation is particularly dedicated to supporting young women from Dalit and marginalized communities who aspire to succeed in fields like media and the creative industry. By providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities, the Shanta Foundation aims to empower these women to realize their dreams and potential.
Shanta Nepali, the founder of the foundation, recognizes the power of storytelling in understanding society and amplifying voices. The foundation harnesses the art of storytelling across various mediums such as film, photography, and other creative practices to address social issues and inspire positive change within communities.
The Shanta Foundation collaborates with artists, organizations, and community groups to foster creativity and facilitate the use of arts for social engagement. By working together with diverse stakeholders, they create a network of support and resources to maximize their impact.
The foundation’s programs and initiatives are designed to tackle a range of social issues, including education, health, environmental sustainability, and social justice. They recognize that the arts can serve as a powerful tool to raise awareness, bridge gaps, and inspire action in these areas.
The Shanta Foundation aims to contribute to the creation of a more just and inclusive society. By focusing on marginalized communities and amplifying their voices, they strive to promote equality, empowerment, and social justice.
Our team
GET TO KNOW OUR TEAM
Shanta Nepali
Founder
Shanta Nepali is the founder and CEO of Shanta Nepali Productions, a highly accomplished filmmaker based in Kathmandu with over a decade of experience in journalism and television. Her work spans adventure, travel, lifestyle, sports, human rights, and social issues, characterized by a distinctive visual storytelling style. Her films and shows have been screened on major international networks such as Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, Animal Planet, and Nat Geo. An avid adventurer, she often weaves her personal journeys—climbing peaks and riding across the Himalayas—into her creative projects, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities through her storytelling.
Beyond filmmaking, Shanta leads the Shanta Foundation, using the transformative power of the arts to drive social change. She is the founder of Nepali Female Filmmakers, has served with organizations such as In Your Hands, The Mandala Organization, and the Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival, and continues to create platforms for underrepresented voices. An alumna of One World Media (UK) and the London Film Academy, she holds an MA in Rural Development and a BA in Travel & Tourism, bringing together academic insight and creative passion to build a more inclusive cultural landscape.
Nimesh Puri
Program Manager
Nimesh Puri is the Project Manager at The Shanta Foundation, where he leads initiatives that empower marginalized communities—particularly women—through storytelling and creative practices. With a background in media production and social impact, Nimesh brings a unique blend of organizational leadership and creative vision to his work.
At the foundation, he oversees the development and execution of projects that address key social issues such as education, health, sustainability, and justice. He is deeply committed to using the arts as a tool for advocacy, inclusion, and community empowerment. Through his work, Nimesh strives to amplify underrepresented voices and foster meaningful dialogue that drives lasting change.
Prasna Dangol
Program Director
Prasna Dongol is a documentary filmmaker, educator, and mentor with over a decade of experience in filmmaking, curation, and community building. Co-founder of Nepali Female Filmmakers (NFF), she has been instrumental in creating spaces for women in the industry. She mentors young filmmakers through the British Council’s Camera Sika project and has served as a Doc Lab Coordinator and Film Selection Committee Member at KIMFF. She was also part of the Film Development Board’s support group, to develop a First National Film Program for Children.
Her award-winning documentary Dolpa Diary earned Best Adventure Mountain Film (2018) and Best Woman Filmmaker (2019). A One World Media Global Short Doc Fellow (2021), she also received a Film South Asia grant (2019) to explore visual depictions of women and sexual violence in South Asia. Her debut feature, Before You Were My Mother, premiered in 2022.
Sunita Sakhakarmi
Research & Evaluation Officer
Sunita Sakhakarmi is a Research and Evaluation Officer at Shanta Foundation. She is involved in research, writing, and helping to plan and coordinate different programs run by the foundation.
With over a decade of experience in journalism, Sunita has covered on a wide range of topics including public policy, law, social justice, gender, and development. Sunita is passionate about storytelling, especially stories that bring forward local knowledge, women’s voices, and social change.
At the Foundation, Sunita works closely with the team to research, write, support fieldwork, and ensure that programs are well-organized and effective. Her combined experience in media, research, and field coordination helps strengthen the Foundation’s outreach and impact.
Sara Frenning
Advocacy and Policy Officer
Sara Frenning is the Advocacy and Policy Officer at Shanta Foundation, where she leads efforts to promote social justice, equity, and systemic change through arts-based engagement and community-driven advocacy. She holds a Master of Science in Human Ecology from Lund University, Sweden, where her research focused on the exploitation of mountain tourism workers in Nepal.
With expertise in decoloniality, human rights, climate justice, women’s empowerment, and globalization, Sara brings a strong academic foundation and a deep commitment to equity to her role. Based in Kathmandu, she oversees policy research, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized communities.
An avid adventurer and storyteller, Sara is passionate about amplifying voices from the ground and using storytelling as a tool for change.
Albin Sendang
Senior Advisor
Albin Sendang is an incredible person who has truly turned his life experiences into something positive. A proud UK Army veteran, he served for eight years and completed three tours in Afghanistan. Along the way, he faced his share of injuries and challenges, but his determined spirit helped him rise above it all. Instead of letting the difficulties hold him back, Albin channeled his energy into athletics, mountaineering, and cycling.
After leaving the military, Albin discovered a passion for helping others and became a climbing trainer and endurance athlete. He now inspires fellow veterans as a motivational figure. As a Welfare Officer for the *Royal British Legion*,an incredible charity supporting veterans and their families based in UK, Albin plays an essential role in guiding those who are transitioning to civilian life. He’s dedicated to ensuring that they receive the support and opportunities they need.
Deepak Rauniyar
Senior Advisor
Deepak Rauniyar is a distinguished filmmaker, writer, and producer from Nepal whose work has given Nepali cinema a global platform.
His debut feature Highway (2012) became the first Nepali film to screen at a major international festival, premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival.
His second feature, White Sun (2016), premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, won multiple international awards including Best Asian Feature at the Singapore International Film Festival, and was Nepal’s official submission to the 90th Academy Awards.
His latest film, Pooja, Sir (2024), set during Nepal’s 2015 ethnic-minority movements, has earned critical acclaim and nominations at prestigious festivals such as Venice. Through his films, Rauniyar continues to highlight social realities and bring Nepali stories to the global stage.
Our partners
Sponsor an Entire Project
There are many variations of available but the majority have suffered alteration.
