KATHMANDU: With the slogan ‘The Circle of Documentary is Unlimited’, the 10th edition of Film Southasia kicked off on November 19 at the Yala Maya Kendra, Patan Dhoka. The festival started with the poster release by veteran Indian film-maker Adoor Gopalkrishnan, as per a press statement issued by Film Southasia 2015.

As per the statement, the event began with Sarangi performance by folk musical instrument researcher/artiste Lochan Rijal who sang a song titled Sukha Dukha, dedicated to Ram Bahadur Tamang — the icon of the Film Southasia.

Gopalkrishnan talked about the festival being organised in an impressive way even in the time of fuel crisis in Nepal and he praised the documentary producers for their commendable works despite facing challenges.

Chairperson of Film Southasia, Kanak Mani Dixit said, it was a challenge to organise a film festival in the time of fuel crisis and with the slogan itself, the festival symbolised a free society.

The press statement quoted Festival Director Mitu Verma as saying that the selected documentaries would show the creative angle on contemporary South Asian subject matters. During the opening ceremony, the documentary Drawing the Tiger by Amy Benson and Ramyata Limbu was screened. Also on the same day eight documentaries made by students were screened. The festival will showcase 43 documentaries in total where directors from 20 different countries have arrived for the festival, the press statement added.