Newari Film Festival Kicks off in the Capital

The two-day Newari film festival, NFS Sankipa Samman 1137, was inaugurated at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu yesterday. Around 100 Newari film enthusiasts attended the opening ceremony of the festival that has been organized by the Newa Film Society (NFS).

Screening of Eight Films

The festival commenced with the screening of director Ram Shekhar Nakarmi’s film ‘Pankhaa’ (Wall) which had received the prestigious Future of Asia Award in Japan. This was followed by three other Newari films, ‘Thama Mhugu Gaa’, ‘Kalli’ and ‘Chandra Man’.

On the second day, four films ‘Kathaha’, ‘Tapalay’, ‘Lidhansaa’ and ‘Tin Tika Maha Bika’ are scheduled to be screened.

Biraj Kaji Rajopadhyaya, General Secretary of NFS said, “Filmmakers create movies with dedication and they have an emotional attachment with the films. But, they do not get the exposure in mainstream media because such films barely go through registration and censorship. Such movies carry social values, history and information, and should be given a platform for screening.”

He opined that the festival provides an ideal platform for networking with people from the industry that can lead to the further development of Newari films.

Honoring Newari Actors

Veteran actor and comedian Madan Krishna Shrestha, who is well known for his method acting, and actress Chaitya Devi Singh will be felicitated during the festival’s closing ceremony today.