Buffalo 8 has secured worldwide rights to “The World’s Happiest Man,” the Bhutanese-Nepali-American drama starring Oscar and Emmy nominee Bruce Dern. A trailer has been unveiled.

Dern (“Nebraska,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”) stars alongside Nepali stalwarts Haribansha Acharya and Dayahang Rai in the ensemble drama from writer-director Binod Paudel. The cast also includes Aditi Pyakurel, Joes Pandey, Richa Ghimire, Pooja Chand, Anuradha Majumder, Bimal Subedi, Gurpreet Singh and Tom Crain.

Set in Akron, Ohio, the film centers on Bishnu, a Bhutanese Nepali who has built a new life in America but dreams of returning to Bhutan one final time. After receiving a devastating visa denial, Bishnu dies unexpectedly, triggering a spiritual, emotional and cultural reckoning across three generations of his family as they debate how to honor him and what “home” truly means.

Paudel, known for “Bulbul” and “Awaken Eyes,” draws from Bhutanese-Nepali diaspora experiences and the community’s significant presence in the American Midwest.

The film participated in the 2019 Busan Asian Project Market. Paudel produced alongside Rajendra Thakurathi, Amitabh Joshi, Kirtana Banskota and Abeeral Thapa. L.N. Adhikari, Kaushila Karmacharya, Ramesh Bhatta and Apaar Shrestha serve as executive producers.

Buffalo 8 will handle the launch across TVOD and digital platforms, with a broader international rollout planned through early 2026.

The film will be available for pre-order on Fandango at Home starting Dec. 26, ahead of its Jan. 9, 2026, on-demand release in the U.S. The film will debut on Amazon, Fandango at Home, Verizon Fios and major cable providers, with additional territories and platforms to follow.

Watch the trailer here: