The 22nd edition of the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) begins this Wednesday and will run until May 31. The festival will take place at the QFX Cinema’s Chhaya Center in Thamel. This year’s theme, “Fractured Voices, Reclaim Narratives,” features over 65 films from 30 different countries.
International Hits and Nepali Stories on Screen
The festival will showcase internationally acclaimed films alongside contemporary stories created by Nepali filmmakers. According to KIMFF Foundation Chairperson Ramyata Limbu, the festival aims not only to entertain the Nepali audience but also to spark conversations about important social issues affecting Nepal.
Special Documentary Premiere and New Leadership
This is the first KIMFF organized under the leadership of Chairperson Ramyata Limbu. The festival will open with the Asia-premiere of the documentary “Between the Mountain and the Sky,” directed by Jeremy Power Regimbal. The film closely follows Maggie Doyne, a social activist and CNN Hero.
Celebrating Nepal-China Friendship with Film
To honor the 70th anniversary of Nepal-China friendship, KIMFF will feature films under the “Sijiang Panorama” section. These films highlight the cultural and linguistic differences yet emphasize the strong bond between the two countries.
Distinguished Jury Panel
This year’s jury includes renowned filmmakers and experts: director Nabin Subba from Nepal, Martin Hossenöhrl from Austria, Yingqi Chen from China, journalism professor Chun Zhan, and film programmer Gina Lee from South Korea.
The jury will select the best in several categories:
- Best Feature Film (4 nominees)
- Best Documentary (14 nominees)
- Best Short Fiction (11 nominees)
- Best Short Documentary (13 nominees)
For Nepali films, the jury will pick the best documentary (6 nominees) and best fiction (11 nominees).
Awards and Prize Money
- Best International Documentary: $1,500
- Best International Short Documentary: $1,000
- Best International Feature Film: $1,500
- Best International Short Fiction: $1,000
- Best Mountain and Adventure Film: $1,000
- Best Himalayan Film: $1,000
Nepali films winning best documentary or best fiction will receive NPR 100,000 each. There will also be an audience choice award with NPR 100,000 prize money.
New Workshops and Programs
For the first time, KIMFF introduces the “Kathmandu Doc Lab” workshop from May 24 to 28. This workshop supports talents from South Asia and will be led by film professionals Anam Abbas (Pakistan), Arun Bhattarai (Bhutan), and Rintu Thomas (India).
Female directors from the “Cut.Story” workshop, organized jointly with the British Council, will present their short documentaries. Other events include Nikon’s youth photography and filmmaking workshop, a VR experience, and a photo exhibition at the Kala Salon in Thamel.
Festival Details and Tickets
KIMFF is organized by the non-profit KIMFF Foundation. It is a member of the International Alliance for Mountain Film (IAMF), headquartered in Turin, Italy. Tickets are priced at NPR 150 for general admission and NPR 100 for students.