Nepal Africa Film Festival from June 21

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 11: The 12th Nepal Africa Film Festival is scheduled to be held in Kathmandu from June 21 to 23.  According to a press release issued by the Nepal Africa Film Festival on Monday, a total of 28 films, documentaries and short films from 10 countries, including Nepal, have been selected for the festival this year. 

This festival has been organised for the past 13 years.

The 12th edition of the festival, organised by the College of Journalism and Mass Communication and Bilakchhyan Creation and co-organised by the Film Development Board, will feature eight African films from nine countries including South Africa, Egypt, Tanzania, Turkey, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Mauritius and Jamaica.

 This year, eight African films have been selected from over four dozen submitted African films and documentaries submitted from more than 15 countries, said the organisers.

Additionally, seven Nepali and indigenous feature films and 10 short films have been selected from Nepal. 

According to the press release, out of 73 films, documentaries, and short films from Nepal, 20 were selected for the festival by the judging team. 

Selected Nepali and Indigenous films include ‘Sorry Mom’, ‘Kandetaar’, ‘Gurkha Warrior’, ‘Sanakhat’, ‘Aaphnai Karma’, ‘Lojima’, and ‘Reet’.

Dr. Manju Mishra, president and principal of the College of Journalism and Mass Communication, said that preparations for the festival reached the final stage.

 “The preparations for the festival are progressing rapidly. We have been continuously organising this festival for 13 years to connect two different worlds through movies along with the cultures of Nepal and Africa. We aim to see Africa through the African lens,” said Mishra.

 She added, “We have been viewing Africa from the perspective of Western countries. Africa is not only diverse but also beautiful and prosperous.”

According to the director of the festival, Dabbu Kshetri, the festival will be held at CDC Cinemas in CTC Mall in Kathmandu to provide convenient access for the audience. 

In addition to film screenings, there will be three days of special workshops and interactive programmes related to acting. Kshetri also mentioned that this festival aims to promote the cultures of Nepal and Africa by connecting the Nepali and African films.