Motion Picture (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) Act, 2026 (1969)

Date of Publication
2026.19.5 (1969.9.4)
Amendments:
1. Judicial Administration Reforms Act, 2031 (1973) 2031.4.18 (1974.8.2)
2. Judicial Administration Reforms Act, 2031 (1973) 2043.7.24 (1986.11.10)
3. Motion Picture (Production, Exhibition, and Distribution) Act, 2048 2048.8.4 (1991-11-20
4. Communication Related Some Nepal Acts Amendment Act, 2055 2055.3.10 (1988.6.24)
5. Communication Related Some Nepal Acts Amendment Act, 2057 2057.10.18 (2001.01.31)
Act Number 15 of the year 2026
An Act made to provide for managing production, exhibition and distribution of motion picture.

Preamble: Whereas, it is expedient to manage the production, exhibition and distribution of motion picture throughout Nepal for the convenience of the people in general Now therefore, His Majesty’s King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has made this Act on the advice and with the consent of the Rastriya Panchyat.

1. Short title, extent and commencement:

(1) This Act may be called the “Motion Picture (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) Act, 2026 (1969).”
(2) This Act shall extent throughout Nepal.
(3) This act shall come into force immediately

2. Definitions: Unless the subject or the context otherwise requires; in this Act,
(a) ” Film Consort Board” means the board constituted pursuant to Section 7.
(b) “Cinema Hall” includes the main cinema hall and other houses within its premises to exhibit motion picture.
(c) “Prescribed” or “as prescribed” means prescribed or as prescribed in the  Rules framed under this Act.

∗ (3) License to be obtained for production m Distribution and exhibition of Motion Picture: No one shall produce, distribute or exhibit the following motion
pictures without obtaining license from Government of Nepal or by an officer prescribed by Government of Nepal.
(a) Feature film and
(b) Other types of motion Picture as prescribed by Government of Nepal upon a Notification published in the Nepal Gazette
from time to time.
(2) The Format of application to be submitted for production distribution or exhibition of motion pictures pursuant to Sub-section (1), the format of license and
the conditions to be followed buy the licensee and the payable fee shall be a prescribed.
(3) The duration of license to be generated for the distribution of motion pictures shall be as prescribed.

4. License to be obtained for operation of Cinema Hall after its construction:
(1) No one shall construct a cinema hall” without obtaining license from Government of Nepal or the authority as prescribed by Government of Nepal.
(2) The format of application to be submitted in order to obtain the license for the construction of a Cinema Hall* pursuant to Sub-section (1), the format of
license and the conditions to be followed as well as the fees to be paid by the license shall be as prescribed.
(3) Upon submission of an application as referred to in Sub-section (2), Government of Nepal may issue the license considering specially the following
Matters:
(a) Any disturbance and inconvenience to any school, hostel, hospital, place of public importance, institutions or

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∗ Amended by the Motion Picture ( Production, Exhibition and Distribution ) (First Amendment ), Act 2048 (1990).
Governmental office while permitting to construct a Cinema Hall as per the application, ?
(b) Necessity of such Cinema Hall on the basis of population,
(c) Submission of design of the Cinema Hall has made sufficient arrangement as prescribed for safety, health and facilities for
audiences,
(d) Whether or not such license may be issued as per the other Nepal laws.

5. Cinema Hall to be constructed:

(1) A person who has obtained a license to construct a Cinema Hall under this Act shall complete the construction of such  Cinema Hall as per the approved design within Two years from the date of receiving of such license.
Provided that, if such licensee fails to complete the construction of a Cinema Hall within such period due to any reasonable ground ,Government of
Nepal may extend such time limit for upto Two years from time to time.
(2) In case, a licensee fails to complete the construction of a Cinema Hall within the time frame as referred into Sub-section (1), the license so obtained shall
ipso facto be cancelled.

6. Inspection of a Cinema Hall:

(1) the Chief District Officer ∗ may inspect a Cinema Hall at any time to ensure that whether necessary arrangement of safety,  health and convenience for the audience pursuant to this Act or the Rules framed under this Act have been made in any Cinema Hall and whether the prevailing  Nepal laws has been followed or not in the course of exhibition of pictures.

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? Proviso Inserted by Communication Related Some Nepal Acts Amendment Act, 2057.
∗ Amended by the Motion Picture (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) (First Amendment), Act 2048 (1990).
∗ Amended by the Motion Picture (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) (First Amendment), Act 2048 (1990).

(2) For the purpose of inspection pursuant to Sub-section (1), the Chief  District Officer ∗ may inspect or cause to be inspected the Cinema Hall at any time
(3) If a Cinema Hall is found lacking of the necessary arrangement of safety, health and convenience for audiences as prescribed or if it is found not
abiding by that the prevailing Nepal law in the course of exhibition of a motion pictures, the Chief District Officer ∗ may order to close down the Cinema Hall or
stop the exhibition of motion Picture.
(4) A person, who is not satisfied with the order made by the Chief district Officer * issued under this Section may file an appeal before Government of
Nepal within Thirty Five days from the date of issuing of such order.

7. Film Censor Board:

1) Government of Nepal may constitute a Film Censor Board or committees as per necessity to inquire whether or not it is appropriate to
grant license to exhibit any motion picture pursuant to Section 8. Each Board shall have a Chairperson and members as nominated by Government of Nepal .They
shall assume their office up to the period as prescribed by Government of Nepal.
(2) The chairperson or the member of the committee constituted pursuant to Sub-section (1) shall receive the prescribed remuneration, from the person desiring
to have Censor the motion pictures.
(3) The Film Censor Board may manage its procedure itself.
(4) Government of Nepal may direct to the Film Censor Board from time to time as it deems necessary and it shall be the duty of the Board to abide by such
directions.

8. Censor of motion Picture:

(1) A person who has obtained a license shall make an application to the Film Censors Board before the exhibition of any motion picture

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∗ Amended by the Motion Picture (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) (First Amendment), Act 2048 (1990).
∗ Amended by the Motion Picture (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) (First Amendment), Act 2048 (1990).
? Proviso Inserted by Communication Related Some Nepal Acts Amendment Act, 2057.

in the format as prescribed and the Board shall also censor such motion picture and decide whether to give or not to give permission as following:
(a) To permit the said motion picture to exhibit publicity without prescribing any condition, or
(b) To permit to exhibit publicly subject to any alteration, modification or abiding by any other conditions and
restrictions, or
(c) To permit upon prescribing a condition that the said motion picture shall be exhibited publicly only for the adults above
the age of sixteen years, or
(d) Refuse to give permission to the motion picture for public exhibition.
(2) The Film Censor Board shall provide reasonable opportunity to the applicant to put his/her defense, prior to make any decision regarding whether or
not give permission under Clause (b) ,(c) or (d) of Sub-section (1).
(3) If any motion picture or any part thereof is found or jeopardizing security, law and order or harmonious relation consisting between Nepal and a
friendly states or between peoples of various castes or tribes or which may cause negative impact to the public interest, descent behaviour or morality or defame
any person or contempt of court or incitement to commit any offence, the Motion Picture Censors Board shall not Permit such motion picture for exhibition.
Provided that, if the motion picture is not found prejudicial to this Sub- section, while causing exhibited after having altered or modified of any part of the
motion picture, the Film Censor Board may grant certificate to exhibit the motion picture after altering or modifying as per necessity.
(4) If, in the opinion of Government of Nepal, any motion picture already permitted by the Film Censor Board for exhibition, seems to be prejudicial to Sub-
section (3), Government of Nepal may, at any time, direct to stop the exhibition of such motion picture or order to exhibit the same with alteration or modification as
it seems necessary.
(5) Any person, who is aggrieved by any decision made by the Film Censor Board under this section, may appeal before Government of Nepal within Thirty
Five days of such decision.

9. Documentary also to be exhibited:

(1) At the outset and interval of the exhibition of a Film, Nepalese record and documentaries relating to scientific invention or education or current national or international incident having immense value shall also be required to be played and shown to the extent possible.
(2) Government of Nepal may issue an order to the license holder to exhibiting of motion picture, to exhibit the motion picture made only Government
of Nepal or any documentary motion picture obtained to Government of Nepal and it shall be the duty of such motion picture exhibitor to abide by such order.

10. Ticket Rate and Class: The various provisions regarding classes and ticket rates,  to be maintained in the Cinema Hall, shall be as prescribed

10A. Formation of the Film Development Board:

(1) Government of Nepal shall, for the development and promotion of motion picture sector, form a Film Development Board representing by the concerned person or institution related  with such sector.
(2) The formation procedure and other functions of the Film Development Board to be constituted pursuant to Sub-section (1) shall be as prescribed.

11. Authority of Government of Nepal:

(1) Government of Nepal may issued an order to stop the exhibition of any motion picture of it thinks necessary to do so
for the security of Nepal or public peace or order.
Provided that, reasonable time shall be given to the concerned person to put his/her defense prior to issuance of such order.
(2) Government of Nepal may, by a Notification published in the Nepal Gazette, delegate its power conferred to it, under this Act to the board framed
pursuant to Section 10A or any official or committee.

12. Penalty and Appeal:

If a person violates this Act or Rules framed or order made thereunder, the Chief district Officer may fine him/her up to Five Thousand
Rupees and aloes cancel the license obtained by him/her.
(2) If, anyone produces or exhibit or distributes any motion picture without obtaining license pursuant to this Act, the Chief District Officer may fine such
person pursuant to Sub-section (1) and seize such motion picture and the equipment used at the time of production, exhibition or distribution of such motion
picture.
(3) An appeal may be filed before the Court of Appeal against the order issued ∗ by the Chief District Officer pursuant to Sub-section (1) or (20).

13 Power to frame Rules: Government of Nepal may frame Rules to implement the objective of this Act

14. Recognition of the License issued before the commencement of this Act : All licenses issued before he commencement of this Act by Government of Nepal or
the officers authorized by Government of Nepal in regard to production, distribution, exhibition of the Motion Pictures and construction of Cinema Hall*
shall be deemed to have been issued under this Act.
Provided that, if the Cinema Hall having obtained a license before the commencement of this Act, does not have the management of sufficient security,
health and convenience for the audience to be managed under this Act or Rules made there under, the owner or such Cinema Hall shall be given a time limit of
two years from the commencement of Rules framed under this Act for the

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∗ Amended by the Motion Picture (Production, Exhibition and Distribution) (First Amendment), Act 2048 (1990).

management of security, health and convenience of the audience as provided therein.