7th edition of NCIFF from January 30

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 28: The seventh edition of the Nepal Cultural International Film Festival (NCIFF) is set to be organised by the Nepal Culture and Film Centre from January 30 to February 1. 

A total of 85 films from 39 countries will be screened at the festival. Organisers informed that the festival, which has been held continuously for the past seven years to promote cultural, social, and creative films from around the world in Kathmandu, is increasingly being established as one of Nepal’s prestigious international film festivals. 

This year, out of more than 700 films received from over 75 countries, 138 films from 52 countries were selected for the festival.

The festival includes short films, feature films, documentaries, and animated films, as well as films based on themes related to women, children, human rights, and culture.

 “Films ranging in duration from three minutes to two and a half hours have been selected for the festival,” said Festival Director and Chairperson Santosh Subedi. 

The opening ceremony will be held at the Film Development Board in Chabahil, and along with film screenings, the festival will feature cultural art exhibitions, dance performances, and interactions related to art, culture, and tourism, informed Co-Director Sristi Neupane. 

Australian director Mulinath Ganguly will also conduct a master class related to filmmaking.

The international jury panel for the festival includes American producer-director Jessica Ackerson, British producer Adriana Kulig, Georgian researcher Nini Sivelidze, Italian writer and director Valentina Goldi, British director-producer Magdalena Korps, Argentine director and physician Dr Jorge Caravotta, Tunisian director Noomen Noomen, and Imroj Hossain, founder of Scarlet Films based in Latvia. 

The national jury includes film writer, director, and artist Ramesh Budhathoki, actor Dhiren Shakya, actress and producer Deepashree Niraula, actor Aryan Sigdel, and producer and cinematographer Rabin Acharya.

The festival will feature competitions in categories including Best Film, Director, Actor, Actress, and Cinematographer, along with Best Short Film, Documentary, Animated Film, Women’s Film, Children’s Film, and Human Rights Film.