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The 6th edition of the “Nepal Cultural International Film Festival” began in Kathmandu on Thursday.
The festival kicked off with the screening of the short film Palo directed by Mohan Abhilasi. This year, 98 films from 47 countries were selected for the finals, and all these films will be screened during the festival.
The festival began at the QFX Cinema in Rising Mall and the Film Development Board. The opening ceremony was held at QFX Rising Mall in Darbar Marg, Kathmandu. The festival was inaugurated by the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Bagmati Province, Bimal Thakuri. Minister Thakuri highlighted that such events play a significant role in the development and expansion of cinema.
Praising the festival, Dinesh DC, the Chairman of the Film Development Board, welcomed the foreign filmmakers by offering them scarves and hats. He mentioned that the Board has always been supportive of such festivals.
As the chief national judge, veteran musician Shambhujit Baskota also welcomed the international filmmakers to Nepal and mentioned that this year’s films were exceptionally good. Special guest, Nepal’s first actress Bhuwan Chandra also welcomed everyone and expressed that it was a great opportunity to watch good films at the festival.
The festival has been held for the past 6 years to promote Nepali indigenous films, as informed by festival president Santosh Subedi. This year, 35 filmmakers are participating in the festival.
The festival will conclude on Saturday by awarding the best films, actors, and technicians. A total of 30 awards will be presented, including 15 national and 15 international awards.
The international jury includes eight foreign judges: Indian director Nipon Dhola, German filmmakers Fawen Matthias and Ivin Biraji, British screenwriter and director Louisa Pretolani, Canadian director Judy Gladstone, Iranian actress, writer, and director Tima Taghizadeh, Bahraini producer, director, and writer Eva Daoud, and Russian filmmaker Irina Beraji.
The Nepali jury includes senior musician and former chairman of the Film Development Board Shambhujeet Baskota, actress Mithila Sharma, actor Pradeep Khadka, actress Suraksha Pant, director Dipendra K. Khanal, producer and director Raunak Vikram Kandel, director Dinesh Lingden, and television personality Tikaram Yatri. Along with film screenings, the festival also includes panel discussions, masterclasses, workshops, and an art exhibition.
