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The First Golden Nepali Film Award 2024 was successfully held on December 21 at Richmond Memorial in San Francisco, California.
A historic event in America, the award ceremony saw the participation of over two dozen celebrities from Nepal, including veteran actors Nir Shah, Shiva Shrestha, Bhuwan KC, Sunil Thapa, Deepa Shree Niraula, Anmol KC, Keki Adhikari, Aanchal Sharma, Neeti Shah, Kedar Ghimire, Jitu Nepal, Wilson Bikram Rai, Arjun Jung Shahi, producer-actor and Bagmati Province’s Minister for Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Madukumar Shrestha, musician Chetan Sapkota, and producer-distributor Ujwal Paudel.
The chief guest of the event was California State Treasurer/Finance Minister Fiona Ma, while special guests included John Garamendi, House Representative for California’s 8th Congressional District, Richmond City Mayor Eduardo Martinez, and Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia. According to Yagya Lal Shrestha, head of the organizing committee, this was the first time such high-ranking American dignitaries attended a Nepali film award ceremony.
The event was hosted by Reema Bishwokarma and featured comedic performances by Kedar Ghimire, Jitu Nepal, and Wilson Bikram Rai, as well as an energetic dance by actress Keki Adhikari to the song Bujhina Maile from the movie Boksi Ko Ghar. Deepa Shree Niraula and Shiva Shrestha also entertained the audience with their dance performances.
The five-hour-long ceremony honored veteran actor Shiva Shrestha with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 42 years of contribution to Nepali cinema. The award was met with heartfelt admiration from both Nepali and American attendees.
During his speech, actor Nir Shah praised the organizers for hosting such a grand event in a prestigious city like San Francisco, highlighting its potential to expand the reach and impact of Nepali cinema. Shiva Shrestha expressed gratitude, calling the event historic and well-organized. Actress and director Deepa Shree Niraula remarked that the ceremony had energized the Nepali film community, while Bhuwan KC described it as a matter of pride. Anmol KC said the award brought hope and motivation to the industry, and Keki Adhikari appreciated the enthusiastic participation of American guests.
The event inspired discussions on quality filmmaking, market expansion, and promoting Nepali art and culture in the diaspora. Following the award ceremony, the Nepal Day Parade was held on December 22 in Berkeley, with a large turnout of local residents and Nepali artists. Participants celebrated Nepalese traditions in native attire, songs, and dances, with Minister Madukumar Shrestha emphasizing the unity and patriotism reflected in such events.
The awards recognized films screened in Nepal between July 2023 and June 2024. Winners included:
Best Actor: Anmol KC (Farki Farki)
Best Actress: Aanchal Sharma (Degree Maila)
Best Film: Poojar Sarki
Best Director: Dinesh Raut (Poojar Sarki)
Popular Actor: Pradeep Khadka
Popular Actress: Keki Adhikari
Best Writer: Dipendra Lama (Nango Gaun)
Best Cinematographer: Alok Shukla (Nango Gaun)
Best Male Singer: SD Yogi (Nango Gaun)
Best Female Singer: Samikshya Adhikari (Boksi Ko Ghar)
Best Supporting Actor: Pramod Agrahari (Agastya)
Best Supporting Actress: Barsha Siwakoti (Paradeshi 2)
Critics’ Choice Award: Gaun Aayeko Bato
Jury Award: Boksi Ko Ghar
Yagya Lal Shrestha extended his gratitude to all contributors and vowed to make the next edition even more grand.
