KATHMANDU: Nepali documentary Road to Everest, which explores mountaineering, the Sherpa community and the impact of climate change on the Himalayas, was screened in Hong Kong on Sunday.

The 50-minute documentary was shown at Sunbeam Whampoa Cinema in Hung Hom to an audience comprising members of the Nepali and Indian communities and viewers from China, the UK, the Philippines, the US, Indonesia and other countries. Around half a dozen Hong Kong-based Chinese mountaineers who have summited Everest also attended the screening.

The film follows a journey from sea level to the summit of Everest, focusing on the challenges of climbing the world’s highest mountain and the changing Himalayan environment. It also features the Everest journey of Raj Gurung, a man in his 50s pursuing his dream of reaching the summit.

Record-setting climbers Phurba Tenzing Sherpa and Nima Gyalzen Sherpa, who have summited Everest 18 and 11 times respectively, were among those present at the screening, along with Vinod Gurung and Suraj Gurung.

Director Nirmal Shrestha said the film seeks to present Everest beyond its image as a mountain and explore its connection with Nepal’s identity, aspirations and future.

“Everest is not simply a mountain. It represents Nepal’s courage, dreams, struggles, identity and future,” Shrestha said.

Tulsi Kumar Gurung, chairman of the We Will Rise Foundation, said the documentary also aims to draw international attention to climate change and the need to protect the Himalayas. The team plans to take the film to international festivals and special screenings in different countries.

The documentary was written by journalist Santosh Acharya and Shrestha and produced in Nepali and English. The production team said the Hong Kong screening was part of its effort to take the film to international audiences and promote awareness of Nepal’s Himalayan heritage, tourism and environmental challenges.