Festival Team

Kirtana Banskota is an award-winning Nepali-American filmmaker, director, and producer based in Austin, Texas. She is the founder of Banskota Productions and co-founder of the Nepal America Film Society, Nepal America International Film Festival (NAIFF), South Asian House at SXSW, and Saffron Sky Studios. All her films—Premonition, Where the Stars Are, The World’s Happiest Man and many more —center themes of identity, social justice, and cross-cultural connection.

For NAIFF 2025, Kirtana served as a film screener and will also lead a filmmaking Masterclass during the festival. A passionate advocate for inclusive storytelling, Kirtana served on the board of Women in Film and Television Austin for four years and is a current member of Alliance of Women Directors and Film Fatale. She was named a Changemaker by Austin Woman Magazine and is a finalist for Best Filmmaker in Austin, with the winner to be announced on June 19th.

Through her work, Kirtana continues to champion AAPI and diaspora voices in global cinema—elevating stories that bridge cultures, empower communities, and inspire the next generation of storytellers.