Kathmandu:

The audience in Kathmandu have had a taste of it and liked it,” said Kanak Mani Dixit, speaking about documentaries, at a press meet organised to announce the starting of Film

South Asia 2007. The festival will be held from October 11 to 14 at both the halls of Kumari Cinema. This year’s theme for FSA is ‘Dare to Documentary’.

Talking about the festival this year Dixit said, “This is the best package we have since the inception of FSA 10 years back. Since the number of documentaries are higher compared to previous years, there is more competition and the quality is even better.” The festival consists of films mostly related to social, political and cultural issues. The screening of documentaries ends on October 14, but to make the event more interesting they will have a special music video film festival on October 15 from various South Asian countries.

A total of 280 films had made entry into the festival out of which 48 were finalised for the festival. 45 of the films are for the competitive category and three are non competitive. Around 25 filmmakers will be in Kathmandu during the festival.

A jury chaired by Saeed Mirza, Bombay based filmmaker and journalist, along with Farjad Nabi, filmmaker and cultural activist from Lahore and Kedar Sharma, multi media personality from Kathmandu will be judging the films. The Best film will receive the Ram Bahadur Trophy and cash prize of USD 2000. The Second best film and the Best debut filmmaker will each receive USD 1000. The festival is being organised by Himal Association, Himal South-asian, supported by jan vrijman fund and C Fonds.

Tickets are priced at Rs 30 each and are available at Mandala Book Point, Dhokaima Café, Thamel Book Shop, Saraswati Book Centre, Jai Nepal and Kumari Cinema.