KIFF's 3rd edition begins

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 27: The third Karnali International Film Festival (KIFF) has been officially inaugurated with the slogan, ‘Visit Karnali, Behold Karnali’ in Kathmandu on Thursday. 

Organised with the aim of promoting Nepali cinema while highlighting the potential of film tourism, the festival seeks to connect cinema and tourism from cities to rural areas.

Despite being a region of immense potential, Karnali has witnessed limited activities related to tourism and cinema. In this context, the festival has launched a campaign to preserve and promote the region’s stories, culture, lifestyle, language, traditional attire, and customs.

According to Festival Director Chakra Bahadur Chand, the ‘Destination Karnali’ campaign has been initiated to bring Karnali’s hidden stories to national and international platforms.

“We have called for story submissions to transform Karnali’s narratives into films. Outstanding stories will be honoured next April, and, if possible, films will also be produced based on them,” he said. 

He further added that another key objective of the festival is to promote tourism through cinema and convey messages related to climate change.

Speaking at the programme, actor Pradeep Khadka emphasised that Karnali should be viewed with pride rather than pity.

“Karnali is the birthplace of our language, literature, art, and culture. Although Nepali cinema started late, we are not lacking in originality. If Nepali cinema is to be taken to new heights, Karnali can become its centre,” he said.

Senior Manager of the Nepal Tourism Board, Surya Thapaliya, said that such programmes also generate positive discussions at the policy level. 

Former FNCCI President and festival patron Bhawani Rana expressed confidence that the festival would help introduce Karnali to the international arena. Chairperson of the Film Development Board, Dinesh DC, noted that although the impact of film tourism cannot be measured directly, visuals showcased in films naturally attract tourists.

Minister for Forests and Environment Madhav Chaulagain remarked that cinema is a powerful medium for boosting Karnali’s self-confidence, stating, “Art is such a medium that can change people’s thinking in a short time. Karnali is an excellent hotspot for original stories.”

The organisers informed that the festival will be conducted in four phases: the 3rd Karnali International Film Festival in Surkhet on April 17, 2026, the Gurans Film Tourism Dialogue on April 18, the Karnali International Film Tourism and Climate Award in Kathmandu on May 9, and the Jumla Tatopani Tourism, Film, and Climate Summit on June 10.