The Nepal Cultural International Film Festival (NCIFF) recently ushered in its third session and went out with much pomp, fan-fair, and accolade on 3rd December 2021 in Kathmandu. The festival, which screens both national and international movies, received 107 entries from 50 countries, spanning 25 categories this year. Each screening was also attended by members of the Nepal Tourism and Film Development Boards, who also participated in a post-screening Q and A with the filmmakers.
Upholding the Theme of Culture and Empowerment
The festival has always strived to uphold the theme of building a culture of empowerment through conversations, writing, and art. This was further amplified by its choice in screening movies based on important sociopolitical issues, such as the critically acclaimed short film “Feminization,” which amplified the voices of marginalized women in patriarchal society. Lebanese filmmaker Anjela Mrad took home the ‘Best International Women Film Award’ for the same.
Some of the other important films that were screened at the festival, and which further shed light on issues that are hardly covered in news and press media included: “Mannu: Sprouts of Endurance” from India, which provides a detailed record of the 2015 strike of exploited female tea plantation workers in Munnar, the Tunisian entry “Earth is Home” that drew parallels between the current pandemic and the role of inhabitants in ensuring the safety of the planet and population, and “Sennai,” a movie that discusses the lives of the marginalized Dalit community in India. A lot of the aforementioned projects won big at the festival as well.
Many important films were screened at the festival, including post-screening Q and A. Submitted photo.
Other entries that were bestowed with honours and special mentions at NCIFF 2021 included “Karma” by Mohammed Rezza, an Iranian movie that garnered the ‘International Children Film Award’ and “The Talent” (directed by Elena Nodel from Russian Federation) winning in the the ‘Best International Short Film’ category. Ramdas Kadavallur’s “Mannu: Sprouts of Endurance” was bestowed with the ‘Best International Jury Choice Award’ and the ‘Best International Special Mention Award’ was bestowed upon “Sennai” by Jaikumar Sedhuraman.
Other winning entries included “Antarctica,” directed by Jivkonstantinov from Bulgaria (‘Best International Special Mention Award’), “Sarita,” directed by Rabin Acharya from Nepal (‘Best International Special Mention Film Award’), “Earth is Home,” directed by Noomen Noomen from Tunisia (‘Best International Recognition Film Award’) and “Fire of Teak Flame of Chinar“, directed by Kumar Chowdhury from India (‘Best International Recognition Award’).
Awarding the Best in Cultural Film
Filmmaker Naresh Kumar KC from Nepal also took home the ‘Best National Cultural Film Award’ for his film “Dying Candle,” whereas ‘Best National Feature Film Award’ was won by “Katha 72,” a movie directed by Prabin Sagbyo and Akash Poudel (both filmmakers from Nepal). In the category of ‘Best National Documentary Film Award’ “Yeuta Farak Katha,” directed by Ajay Adhikari Sushil from Nepal won, and the ‘Best National Women Film Award’ was awarded to the well deserving “The Confusion,” directed by Aashuka Aryal from Nepal. Lastly, the film festival also screened movies on environmental issues. “The Winter Tap” by Nepalese filmmaker Deven Rai was rightfully awarded the ‘Best National Environmental Film Award’ in this category.
Here’s hoping that there will be a lot more to look forward to in the future editions of this amazing film festival. The NCIFF opens doors to both local and global talent, and continues to nourish talent and provide a platform for multicultural discourse to a global audience.
