THOSE WHO STAY & THOSE WHO LEAVE

Directed by Allie Ho & Sushan Bhattarai

Across the Global South, migration is both a lifeline and a tragedy. Nepal, like many nations, faces a systemic crisis where economic inequities, globalization, and climate change force its citizens to seek opportunities abroad. This phenomenon, often referred to as "brain drain," depletes communities of their skilled and educated youth, leaving behind aging populations and eroding cultural, spiritual, and social continuity

Those Who Stay & Those Who Leave is a powerful short-to-feature length documentary series that illuminates the profound human cost of migration through the lived realities of Nepali families. Moving from the intimate confines of remote Himalayan villages to the global corridors of migration, these films delve into the deeply personal, cultural, and systemic implications of Nepal’s ongoing “brain drain.” By weaving together the journeys of those who depart in search of opportunity and the stories of those left behind, the series invites audiences to grapple with difficult questions of sacrifice, resilience, and hope.