Meet Kirtana Banskota | Producer, Actor, Filmtrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kirtana Banskota and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kirtana, how do you think about risk?
I think taking risks is highly essential to grow both personally and professionally. As young adults, my parents took the risk of moving to the US from Nepal. Then a few years later with a young toddler- me, another baby on the way they decided to leave the life they had built in Missouri to move back to Nepal so that I could have a wholesome childhood surrounded by my large and very close extended family and the Himalaya. After the civil unrest that broke out in Nepal my parents decided to send me to boarding school in India, another risk they took and I accepted- first grudgingly but later whole heartedly has helped create the woman I am today. Then college in North Philly, moving to NY then to Austin without knowing anyone, another risk. We take risks every single day in our lives some more than others, but risks are what teach us most about ourselves.

Traveling to unknown places, listening to languages that are new to my ears, and reading scripts that are written by creatives with various different backgrounds -as a filmmaker and actor, I love working on projects that push boundaries.

All our life’s comforts today and the futures we are able imagine are the results of someone once taking a risk. I hope someday I am able to do the same.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a first-generation Nepali-American filmmaker. I am very lucky to have the support I have from my family, my friends, and a community that always has my back. I went to school for Film and Media Arts at Temple University which a decade-plus ago was not something South Asians would commonly do. Having been raised in the US, Nepal, and India my background helps me connect with individuals globally. Though Nepali American I definitely feel more like a global citizen since my stories and my work are about bridging communities. By being on the board of Women in Film and Television Austin, I also have a global community that helps me grow as a professional in the field. At the end, I want my brand, my legacy to be of a filmmaker that helped bring stories from all over the globe to life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would start the morning at Mount Bonnell to check out the sunrise, we would then take a dip in the Barton Springs pool and grab breakfast at Bouldin Creek Cafe. After that, a quick siesta or an indie movie at the Austin Film Society theater, and then head out to the breweries around Metric Blvd, grab lunch at one of the local taco trucks. If there is an Austin FC game then head to Q2 stadium, if not spend the evening watching the sunset by Lake Travis and then grab dinner at Fonda San Miguel. After that spend the evening dancing in various parts of DT Austin or The Domain.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents Dr. Kamal Banskota and Bijaya Banskota who’ve always encouraged me to dream big and work hard.

Website: banskota.com

Email:kirtana@banskota.com

Instagram: @kirtana_banskota

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirtanabanskota/

Twitter: BanskotaP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/banskotaproductions

Youtube: Banskota Productions

Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm4271857/overview

Image Credits
Banskota Productions PV Subramaniam
Steve Wampler