Kathmandu : The ‘Women in Cinema’ Film Festival has commenced in Kathmandu from Tuesday. Held at the Film Development Board in Saraswatinagar, Chabahil, the festival will run for three days, concluding on Thursday. The festival has been organized by the Women Filmmakers Empowerment Committee under the Film Development Board to mark the 115th International Women’s Day. The event was inaugurated by Sunita Dangol, Deputy Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
During the event, Deputy Mayor Dangol expressed her happiness over the festival’s initiation, hoping it would help bring more women into the film industry. “Women’s empowerment in cinema is advancing significantly. Female characters are now playing leading roles in films,” she stated. “However, while there is equality in work and conversations, is there equality in remuneration? That remains a question.” She emphasized that women in films should receive equal treatment in both roles and remuneration. “I believe that the ‘Women in Cinema’ Film Festival will help bring women further into the limelight in the film industry,” she added.
She also highlighted Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s selection of the film industry as a medium for the ‘Creative City’ initiative. “If we aim to nationalize and internationalize our tangible and intangible heritage, film is a powerful tool for it,” she said, pointing out that films can showcase music, literature, lifestyle, and heritage.
At the event, Dinesh DC, Chairman of the Film Development Board, mentioned that the board seeks collaboration with Kathmandu Metropolitan City for the construction of a new film studio. He expressed the board’s preference for a single, high-quality studio over multiple separate ones. Chairman DC also shared that each day of the three-day festival features different programs, which he believes will help women filmmakers progress in the industry.
The event saw the participation of veteran actress Basundhara Bhusal, Chaityadevi Singh, actor Bishwo Basnet, Mohan Niraula (President of the Film Artists Association), Narendra Maharjan (President of the Film Association), Samir Balami (President of the Film Journalists Association), Kuber Giri (Vice President of the Film Journalists Association), actor Uttam KC, Bhupendra Khadka (member of the Censor Board), and numerous other film professionals.
On the festival’s first day, the film Sindoor was screened. Additionally, students from the Lalitkala College created sketches of female filmmakers from the movie Sindoor. During the event, actress Bhusal and actor Basnet shared their experiences regarding their performances in the film.
On the second day, Wednesday, the festival will showcase films made by women or centered on women, along with a ‘Women in Film Dialogue’ session. The final day, Thursday, will feature theatrical performances on women’s issues, followed by a felicitation and award distribution ceremony for women filmmakers. Actress Keki Adhikari serves as the chairperson of the Women Filmmakers Empowerment Committee.
