The lavish, A-lister, red-carpet premiere of the latest Spiderman film—Spiderman: Homecoming—at QFX Labim Mall on Thursday was momentous for the Nepali cinema-scape for more than one reason. Not only was the world premiere in Kathmandu—that went on screen before large markets in Europe and North America—a testament to the growing Nepali market for Hollywood movies; but the screening of sixth edition of the Spiderman franchise saw the coming of a serendipitous full circle for Team Quest—the mother company that runs the QFX cinemas. In July 2002, when Team Quest revamped the Jai Nepal Cinema Hall—revolutionising Nepali movie-going experience forever—they had opened with the Toby Maguire-starrer Spiderman.

“It is quite a nostalgic moment for the company,” said Nakim Uddin, one of the directors at Team Quest, in a conversation with the Post, “When we began Jai Nepal with Spiderman in 2002, we wanted to make a mark on the Nepali cinema industry, but never had we imagined that we would grow to be as big as we are today.”

Following Jai Nepal’s success, Team Quest also revamped the dilapidated Kumari Hall, before opening multiplexes at Civil Mall and Labim Mall as well. The company also has cinema halls in Pokhara, Narayanghat and Nepalgunj; with two other multiplexes—one in Thamel in the Capital and one in Birtamod—currently under construction. Team Quest is also scouting out prospects in several other cities including Birgunj.

“But apart from just being a nostalgic moment for the company, this world premier goes on to show how Nepal is now perceived as a viable market by Hollywood studios,” Uddin added, “From starting out from just one screen in 2002, today Hollywood movies are screened in up to 30 screens around the country. So, the revenues have seen significant growth; and while Nepal might not represent a lucrative market like, say, India or China, we are drawing enough in ticket sales to merit world premieres.”

The movie is the second big-wig Hollywood premiere hosted by Team Quest this year, following the Hugh Jackman-starrer Logan. These world premieres are also the result of Apple Entertainment—another subsidiary of Team Quest—being appointed country agents for big Hollywood studios including Sony, Fox and Universal. As a result, there will be more world premieres in the future, Uddin said.   

The Spiderman: Homecoming premiere on Thursday was attended by the “who-is-who” of the Nepali movie industry and was followed by a cocktail event.