NCIFF Festival Director Mr. Santosh Subedi ushered in the first day with the Chairman of Film Development Board Nepal, Mr. Bhuwan K.C, Nepali actress and NCIFF National Jury Member Bhuwan Chand and Basundhara Bhusal, and Producer and NCIFF International Jury member Ann-Mette Schuplern. Director Elena Nodel also presided over the opening ceremony that took place at Rising Mall in Kathmandu, Nepal. Following the inaugural ceremony, the selected films were screened at three separate venues. They were then followed up by each team behind the screened works answering questions from the audience.
The festival concluded with an awards ceremony, which was presided over by the Honourable Member of Parliament, Mr. Santosh Chalise in the presence of German Embassy Cultural Attache Mr. Gregor Czaja, Nepali actress Keki Adhakari, Bhuwan Chand, Basundhara Bhusal, and Nepali actor Dayahang Rai. The national and international delegates, filmmakers, directors, producers, and artists also participated.
The National Categories
In the National Categories, the following 13 films (all locally produced/filmed in Nepal or by Nepali talent) were presented with awards:
1. “Welcome To Hemjakot” (Dir. Saroj Poudel). Won ‘Best National Feature Film.’
2. “Nepal Menstrual Moment: Tracking Taboos” (Dir. Rajin Maharjan). Won ‘Best National Women’s Film.’
3. “Maadani” (Dir. Kishav Sitaula). Won ‘Best Children’s Film.’
4. “The Real Culture of Bagmati Pradesh” (Dir. Mansi Agrawal). Won ‘Best Cultural Film.’
5. “Survival Through Covid” (Dir. Afzal Khan). Won ‘Best National Film.’
6. “Veedan” (Dir. Ashok Pathak). Won ‘Best Documentary Film.’
7. “Due Numbari.” Won ‘Best Actor’ for Dayahang Rai.
8. “Lakhey.” Won ‘Best Actress’ for Barsha Rant.
9. “Jeevan Kada Ki Phool” (Dir. Binod Bista). Won ‘Special Mention’ award.
10. “Prakash” (Dir. Dinesh Raut). Won ‘Special Mention’ award.
11. “Lakhey.” Won ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for Rohit Rumba.
12. “Aakhat” (Dir. Acharya Gopal). Won ‘Special Mention’ award.
13. “Padma” (Dir. Dipendra Lama). Won ‘Best Jury Award.’
The International Categories
Under the International categories, these 10 Films from all around the world took home accolades:
1. “Progenitor” (Dir. Ashok Samarath). Won ‘Best Feature Film.’
2. “Ladies Only.” (Dir. Rebana Liz John). Won ‘Best Women’s Film.’
3. “The Inception Of Pursuit” (Dir. Sauvik Pandit). Won ‘Best Children’s Film.’
4. “Deja vu” (Dir. Rayhan Shoshi). Won ‘Best Environmental Film.’
5. “The Hindu Boy” (Dir. Shahnawaz Bagal). Won ‘Best International Short Film.’
6. “Bella” (Dir. Bridget A. Murnane). Won ‘Best International Documentary Film.’
7. “Miracle In Heaven” (Dir. Golam Rabbani). Won ‘Best Human Rights’ award.
8. “Dark Days Of Heaven” (Dir. Mathi Sutha). Won ‘Special Mention Film Award.’
9. “Toubled Minds” (Dir. Rates Abele, Lauris Abele). Won ‘Special Film Award.’
10. “Others Before Self” (Dir. Seth McClellan). Won ‘Special Mention Award.’
The Movie Buff congratulates NCIFF on another great, 4th year. Follow us next year for more coverage.
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