Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) 2023: Celebrating Stories from Around the World

Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) 2023: Celebrating Stories from Around the World

The sixth edition of the Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) commenced on March 16, 2023, in Kathmandu. The festival, organized by Nepal Film and Culture Academy, will continue till March 20, 2023, and will feature competitive films from 35 countries. The opening film of the festival was 'Chari,' directed by Corin Sharma. The festival is being conducted in four halls under the QFX chain and the Nepal Tourism Board Auditorium, with screenings taking place at QFX's Civil Mall, Chhaya Centre, Labim Mall, and Bhatbhateni Hall in Bhaktapur.

Competitive Films and Awards

A total of 95 films will be screened at NIFF, and 14 awards will be distributed in seven categories. The festival will feature national and international long-short films, documentaries, and animated films competing against each other. The awards will be presented in categories like Best International Feature Film, Best Nepali Feature Film, Best International Short Film, Best Nepali Short Film, Best International Documentary, Best Nepali Documentary, and Best Animation.

Masterclasses and Discussions

NIFF will host several masterclasses and discussions on various topics related to the film industry. Experts from the field of film and related genres will participate in various sessions. Professor Li Ran of the Chinese Film Academy will give a masterclass on 'Chinese film commentary, understanding and the world's largest film market.' Indian film director Premendra Majumdar will give a masterclass on domestic cinema with an international dimension, and Professor Itami Borjan will give a masterclass on the new trend in documentary film. Other topics that will be discussed include the Role of Cinema in Geopolitics, the Development of Nepalese Audience, Film Policy, Film Casting, and Nepali Cinema Inspired by Humor and Mother Heroine: Responsibility and Career.

Prominent Personalities at the Inauguration

The inauguration of the festival was graced by several distinguished personalities, including Film Development Board Chairman Bhuvan KC, actress Vasundhara Bhusal, and NIFF President KP Pathak. Senior Director and Producer Neer Shah also spoke at the press conference, highlighting how NIFF takes the movie-watching culture to new heights.

Ticket Booking and Other Details

NIFF has informed that ticket booking is on in the movie hall and can also be done through the Khalti app. The Nepal Film and Cultural Academy is organizing the festival, and more than 50 international filmmakers are expected to participate in NIFF, according to festival chairman Pathak.