Ujjal Bastakoti is a Nepalese cinematographer, producer, and educator based in Kathmandu. Working across feature films, documentaries, television, commercials, and music videos, he is drawn to patient, observational filmmaking that stays close to real emotions and natural human behaviour. His approach is grounded in close collaboration with directors while remaining attentive to unexpected moments that can deepen a story.

His cinematography credits include the Pakistani-American feature Yasmeen’s Element, an official selection of SXSW 2024; Lori (Melancholy of My Mother’s Lullabies), which received a Special Distinction at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival; and Chiso Ashtray, for which he won Best Cinematography at the 2022 Nepal International Film Festival. He shot profile documentary The Mountaineer for National Geographic’s 2016 Adventurer of the Year. He was also the cinematographer of Wings, winner of the 2018 Nespresso Talents Grand Prize.

Ujjal recently completed Kathmandu Corridor, a Nepali feature film on which he worked as both producer and cinematographer. He also served as cinematographer on Indreni Pari (Across the Rainbow Bridge), a Nepal–U.S. co-production that participated in Locarno Open Doors Hub, Cannes Cinéfondation L’Atelier, and NFDC Film Bazaar.

As a producer, Ujjal is currently working on the Nepali feature Homebound Wings. His producing credits also include the short film Rihanna, selected for the Wide Angle section of the 2025 Busan International Film Festival and recognized with Best Short Film honours at the Nepal Human Rights Film Festival and Nepal International Film Festival.

In 2024, Ujjal was selected as a Cinematography Fellow at the Busan Asian Film Academy, where he expanded his experience of international and cross-cultural collaboration. Alongside filmmaking, he serves as Head of the Cinematography Department at Oscar International College, affiliated with Tribhuvan University. He has worked in film education since 2014, developing cinematography curricula and conducting filmmaking and cinematography workshops, including programs at SOS Village Nepal.

IMDb LInk: IMDB