Kathmandu:

The response this year has been overwhelming, it was certainly more than what we had expected. We had a huge Nepali audience this year,” said Ramyata Limbu, Festival Director, Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF). After successfully screening 52 films from 20 different countries, the festival came to an end on December 11 at Rastriya Sabha Griha.

A wide range of films were screened during the festival, unlike previous years, the festival

went competitive this year. The winners of the competition were also declared.

The third prize winner was Thin Ice by Hakan Berthas. The second prize was given to Becoming a Woman in Zanskar by Jean-Michel Carillion and the Best film went to Are There Still Any Shepherds? by Jorge Pelicano. The films were chosen based on the perfect blend of cinematic brilliance and quality research. These films were also chosen as it could touch ones inner soul. The winners received $ 1,500, $ 1,000 and $ 500 respectively.

A Special Mention Jury award was given to Buhran by Ajit Lamichhane and Shreeram Dhakal. The Best film in Nepali panaroma was given to Forgive! Forget Not! by Pranay Limbu, along with a cash prize of Rs 35,000. A very special award, the Audience award went to Kripa by Maotse Gurung. The international jury haired by Danish director Per Fly, along with Sanjay Barnela and Prakash Sayami selected the winners.

The winners of the photography exhibition was also declared and the first prize went to Narendra Shrestha, second was Chandra Shekhar Karki and the third prize went to Ravi Manandhar. The winners were selected by Mani Lama, Sangeeta Thapa and Madan Chitrakar.