Nepal is great film shooting destination: Minister Sharma

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 15:Minister for Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma has said that Nepal holds significant importance in the global film industry.

Inaugurating the 7th Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) organised by the Nepal Film and Cultural Academy in Kathmandu on Thursday, she emphasised Nepal’s significance as a film shooting destination and a source of compelling storytelling.

“Besides the unique convergence of geographical diversity encompassing mountains, hills, and plains, Nepal serves as a crucial destination for film shooting due to its natural and cultural aspects,” said Minister Sharma.

She further highlighted the uninterrupted historical and socio-cultural heritage as crucial narrative elements for filmmaking. Pointing out Nepal’s status as a multilingual, multicultural, and multi-ethnic nation and the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, Minister Sharma highlighted the importance of tangible and intangible heritages integral to Nepali culture as pivotal storytelling elements.

Minister Sharma added, “Nepali films significantly contribute to social, cultural, and economic development, fostering mutual harmony. It is everyone’s shared responsibility to elevate the Nepali film sector, encouraging the production of original, high-quality films, and fostering timely advancements in marketing.”

Stating that global marketing of Nepali films not only enhances the economic prospects of the film sector but also promotes and preserves Eastern culture, Sharma said that globalisation, propelled by information technology, poses a threat to the extinction of ancient cultures like Nepal’s.  

She urged filmmakers to focus on making original films that carry the elements of Nepali soil and promote Nepal’s diverse cultures globally through cinema. Thapa further elaborated that the government has initiated various programmes such as establishing story banks, promoting historical films and documentaries, developing film shooting studios in Kavre and Dolakha, and organising children’s film festivals to contribute to social and cultural transformation through filmmaking, fostering creativity within the Nepali film industry. 

Regarding amendments to laws related to the film sector, Minister Sharma informed that the government has commenced consultations 

with stakeholders. She urged experts and stakeholders to provide constructive suggestions rather than merely opposing or supporting policies and laws of the film sector.

Nepal International Film Festival which began on Thursday will continue until March 18. The film festival began with the screening of ‘Ani Choying Drolma: Nothing Impossible’, a biographical film based on the life of nun turned popular singer, Ani Choying as the opening film. This year, the festival will feature 88 films from 40 countries. 

Organisers have announced workshops, discussions, and interactive programsmes covering various filmmaking genres throughout the festival period. Films will be screened at QFX Films branches located at Civil Mall, Labim Mall, Bhaktapur and Chhaya Centre.