Kathmandu:

The second Nepal International Indigenous Film Festival (NIIFF) will be held from June 6 to 9 during which films related to different indigenous groups of Nepal and international films will be screened. In the indigenous category, around 21 films from 11 different groups will be screened, and around 27 films from 10 different countries will be screened in the international category. A wide range of films such as documentaries, fiction, short films, experimental films, animation, music videos comprise the entire package for the festival.

Films to be screened

Talking about the festival, Navin Subba, festival director, said, “Films have been chosen based on language, subject and how well the film has been able to portray their culture and lifestyle. The international films have a lot of variety from social, political, development and environmental issues, which we feel have a good message especially for the youth.”

Around 10 of the movies to be screened during the festival have been awarded in famous international fests. In the international category films from countries like US, Sweden, Canada, Mexico, Norway, New Zealand, Australia and many other countries will be screened.

Sneak preview

Subash Gurung’s film Ngai Jindagi is based on the discrimination women born during Aunsi face due to the superstitious belief present in villages. Another film Dungal by Shanta

Lal Ghising deals with a burning issue that is prevalent in our society.

“My film revolves around the story of a man who goes to a foreign country to earn money but unfortunately dies in an accident and how his wife is affected back in the country,” says the filmmaker.

Then there is a film about love and forgiveness by Birendra Tamrakar and Roshan Tamrakar called Tuttan, whereas Mousam Imbung’s Chesung is about the Land Reform Act and how it has negatively affected his community.

The bright side

“It is definitely the involvement and appreciation we are receiving from filmmakers and international fests that is very encouraging,” said Subba. “Though most of the movies have the usual elements that are seen in Nepali films, some have used new methods and there is a shift in story telling and presentation which is quite promising,” he added.

On the benefits of NIIFF, Tamrakar said, “We get a chance to show our films to a wider audience and the winners even get a chance to showcase their films in the international arena which is very good exposure for us.”

“A festival like this gives us a chance not only to show our creativity but exchange ideas as well,” said Ghising.

Improving standards

However, the film-makers do agree that there is a lot of space for improvement. “We still are very much focused on making films related to culture only. There are a lot of topics which need to be addressed but we haven’t been able bring it to the forefront,” said Imbung.

Gurung added, “Technically we are still deficient in many ways and we need to improve our technical standards to give more quality movies.”

The films will be screened at the Nepal Tourism Board and Rastriya Sabha Griha. Tickets are priced at Rs 30 each and will be available at the venues.