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About Us
get to know us
We aim to amplify and support women from marginalised communities.
The Shanta Foundation, established by Shanta Nepali and based in Kathmandu, Nepal, is a nonprofit organization that empowers women and marginalized communities through storytelling, creativity, and cultural engagement. The Foundation believes that stories have the power to inspire change, amplify underrepresented voices, and create opportunities for people to participate in media, arts, and the creative industries. Through art, visual media, research, and community collaboration, it promotes inclusion, leadership, and social transformation.
The Foundation works across education, health, gender equality, environmental sustainability, social justice, and cultural preservation. It partners with artists, educators, researchers, and community organizations to design programs that strengthen local communities and support creative expression and encourage learning, participation, and economic opportunities.
A key part of the Foundation’s work is documenting and preserving the histories, knowledge, and creative expressions of women and marginalized communities. The Shanta Foundation envisions a society where everyone has the opportunity to share their story, realize their potential, and contribute to a more just and inclusive future.
Our vision
We aim to strengthen communities by sharing inspiring stories of people’s experiences, showing how storytelling & art can make a real difference.
Approach
We use lived experiences and knowledge to promote social impact and empowerment.
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.
Prasuna Dongol
Program Director
Prasuna 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.
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.
Asha Magrati
Senior Advisor
Asha Magrati is a Nepali-American screenwriter, producer, and actor who has made a mark in the global film industry. She is the co-founder of Aadi Films and Gograha Film Workshop, which aims to nurture the original voice in Nepali cinema. She has worked on several award-winning films, such as the upcoming drama-thriller The Sky Is Mine, which has garnered international recognition and support from the New York State Council of Arts to Sørfond Norway, and the Golden Bear nominee Four Nights, in both of which she played the lead role as well as co-wrote and produced.
Asha has also starred in films such as White Sun, which won the Interfilm Award at the Venice Film Festival, Highway, which premiered at the Berlinale, and Kagbeni, which screened at the Shanghai International Film Festival. She is a Berlinale Talents and School of Playback Theater graduate, and one of the 25 movers and shakers who helped shape Nepal over the past 25 years, according to the Kathmandu Post.
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