Ilam – On the occasion of its 26th anniversary, the Film Journalists Association Nepal organized a special national gathering at Shree Antu, a prominent tourist destination in Ilam. The two-day event, held on Jestha 7 and 8 (May 20–21, 2025), honored seven journalists for their contributions to film journalism with various awards and recognitions.
On the first day of the event, sessions titled Cinema Dialogue, Media Discussion, and an Award and Felicitation Ceremony were conducted. The second day featured an interaction program on Cinema and Tourism.
During the ceremony, Dhruva Lamsal received the National Film Journalism Silver Honor 2082 with a cash prize of Rs. 55,555. Bishnu Subedi and Narendra Basnet were awarded the National Film Journalism Honor 2082, while Jeevan Kumar Parajuli and Barsha Basnet received the National Film Journalism Award 2082, each accompanied by a cash prize of Rs. 51,000. Likewise, Rashmi Thapa received the National Film Journalism Encouragement Award 2082, and Tulsi Prasad Niraula was honored with the Koshi National Regional Film Journalism Award 2082, both carrying a cash prize of Rs. 25,000.
The ceremony was graced by notable personalities including the Chairperson of the Film Development Board, Dinesh DC; veteran actresses Basundhara Bhusal and Gauri Malla; veteran actor Shiva Shrestha; President of the Artistes Association Mohan Niraula; President of the Directors’ Society Janak Deep Parajuli; producers Milan Chams, Prem Kumar Shrestha, Naveen Shrestha, among many other distinguished guests and film journalists from across the country.
Participating journalists also explored the natural beauty of Shree Antu and expressed their commitment to promoting the area as a potential open studio for film shooting.
The event was coordinated by the Koshi Province branch of the Film Journalists Association Nepal, with organizational support from its Ilam, Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari branches. According to the association’s General Secretary Raghunath Sapkota, the program also included a film tourism festival, workshops, and interactive sessions.
