Women in Animation (WIA) has welcomed WIA Nepal into the fold as the organization’s first affiliate in South Asia. In partnership with WIA’s international community, the Nepal organization will work to further its goals of advocating for gender equity in animation, VFX and video games industries around the world.
WIA Nepal’s current focus is on helping young Nepali women and their families understand that there are viable career opportunities in animation and visual effects, and to help those same women get into the industry by providing education scholarships.
“We are excited to partner with WIA, an inspiring leader in advocacy for women in animation,” said filmmaker and WIA Nepal Board President Sampada Malla. “The animation community in Nepal is small but growing. By pushing for gender equity and giving women educational opportunities and support, we can make sure the Nepali animation industry is 50/50 from the beginning.”
WIA Nepal was initiated by Incessant Rain Founder/co-CEO Kiran Bhakta Joshi and co-CEO Deepa Chipalu Joshi in Kathmandu. The studio is providing crucial financial and development sponsorship of the affiliate. Deepa Chipalu Joshi said in an interview with Nepali Times that through the partnership, WIA Nepal will engage in advocacy, mentorship and education in Nepal.
The WIA Nepal Board of Directors is comprised of Ms. Sampada Malla, President; Ms. Shrijana Shrestha, Treasurer; Ms. Babita Giri; Ms. Sanchita Lama; and Mr. Prabhakar Maharjan.
“This partnership is an example of how, together, we can advocate for gender equity to be built into the foundation of growing animation industries across the world,” said Marge Dean, President of WIA. “I’m excited to see the positive outcomes of this partnership not only for the women and nonbinary creatives of Nepal, but for our industry as a whole.”
Incessant Rain is a visual effects and animation studio based in Kathmandu and in Palos Verdes, California. Its credits include Angry Birds, LEGO Batman, Ninjago, House of the Dragon and Mr. Robot.
Learn more about Women in Animation at womeninanimation.org.
