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Kathmandu: The 6th International Cultural Film Festival is set to take place in the last week of January, bringing together a diverse array of films from around the world. Out of 204 submissions from 47 countries, 142 films have been selected, including 34 national and 108 international films, short films, and documentaries. This year’s festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of global cinema, highlighting stories and perspectives from a wide range of cultures.
The festival will present awards in various categories, recognizing excellence in 15 national and 15 international films. A panel of seven judges, comprising both national and international experts, will evaluate the entries. Categories include Best International Feature Film, Best International Human Rights Films, Best International Children’s Film, Best International Environmental Film, Best International Animation Film, and Best International Documentary .Where as the national Categories include Best Feature Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Children Film, Best Women Film, Best Documentary Film, among others. The awards aim to acknowledge and encourage diverse talents and storytelling.
Among the selected international feature films are notable entries like “Better Tomorrow” from India, “L.A 40RCE” from the United States, “Speak Sunlight” from Spain, “Mercy of Others” from Australia, and “Undercover Guptochor” from Bangladesh, “Deadend” from Austria, “Impure” from Germany, “Water Lilies” from Korea, “Archangel One” from Hungary. These films, along with many others, reflect a wide range of genres and styles, from drama and thriller to social commentary and cultural exploration.
The festival organizers, led by Festival Director Santosh Subedi, emphasize that the event’s primary goal is to preserve, promote, and develop traditional arts, culture, and cinema. Despite these efforts, Subedi expressed concern about the lack of support from relevant authorities, highlighting the need for independent programs to nurture arts and culture in Nepal. He pointed out that specific thematic films are rarely made in the country, and even when they are, there is often a lack of platforms and organizations to showcase and promote them. The festival, therefore, provides a crucial opportunity for these films to reach a wider audience.
The event will not only be a showcase of exceptional filmmaking but also a celebration of cultural diversity and creativity. By including a wide range of film genres and styles, the festival aims to engage audiences and provide a platform for underrepresented voices in cinema. The organizing team is looking forward to welcoming film enthusiasts and industry professionals to Kathmandu for this exciting cultural event.
