Kathmandu. Actor Jitu Nepal has been declared the Best Actor at the 4th Nepal Rural Film Festival. He received the award for his performance in the film Jwai Saab. Meanwhile, actress Keki Adhikari was named Best Actress for her role in Boksiko Ghar.
The festival, held in Gosainkunda Rural Municipality, Rasuwa, began on Thursday, Baisakh 4, and concluded on Saturday, Baisakh 6. At the award ceremony, actor Pradeep Khadka won the Best Actor (Jury) Award for his performance in Pujar Sarki. The Best Musical Short Film award went to Pyakuli by Ram Hari Khadka. Apleng La Namsha by Shekhar Lama was recognized as the Best Cultural Film, and the Encouragement Award was presented to Ronish Khadka for Pyakuli.
Ma Comrade by Nirmal Poudel was awarded Best Short Film, Majhi by Sabir Shrestha won Best Documentary, and Anjila by Prem Shrestha won Best Film overall.
In the technical categories, Bharat Regmi won Best Editor for Pujar Sarki, Shivaram Shrestha took home Best Cinematography for Boksiko Ghar, and Milan Chams was named Best Director for Anjila. The Jury Mention Award went to Rishiraj Acharya for the film Draupadi, and the Jury Award for Direction was presented to Basanta Nirola for Jwai Saab. Manoj Shrestha won Best Visual Effects for Boksiko Ghar.
Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, Film Development Board Chairperson Dinesh DC, and Gosainkunda Rural Municipality Chairperson Kaisang Nurpu Tamang handed out awards and certificates to the winners.
The three-day festival showcased a total of 22 films of various lengths and genres. Numerous filmmakers and entertainment journalists were in attendance. The closing ceremony was held in conjunction with the 30th Wildlife Week, the 4th Gosainkunda Rural Municipality Chairperson Cup 2082, and the 13th Red Panda Trophy Volleyball Tournament.
The festival began with a screening of Anjila, a film based on the life of Nepali women’s football team captain Anjila Tumbapo Subba. Other films screened on the first day (Baisakh 4) included Pujar Sarki, Jwai Saab, and Boksiko Ghar.
With the slogan “Our Village, Our Place, Our Language, Our Films”, Celebrity Nepal has been organizing the festival regularly. Festival Chairperson Raghunath Sapkota stated that the festival aims to promote film culture in rural areas.
During the event, journalist Deepak Lama of Radio Rasuwa was honored with a Journalism Award, receiving NPR 5,555 in cash. Filmmaker Navin Shrestha was also honored for the film Laj Sharanam. According to Chairperson Sapkota, the festival, which has been held regularly for the past four years, will continue in the future.
