Kathmandu: ‘Nepal European Union Film Festival’, showcasing a selection of nine captivating European films—six of which feature Nepali subtitles— will be held at the Elite Cinema in Itahari from 15-18 November, the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal said. This festival highlights the rich cultural diversity of Europe and connects with new audiences in Nepal.
This year’s festival marks the fifth edition of the event, following successful screenings in Kathmandu, Mahendranagar, Surkhet, and Nepalgunj earlier this year.
“This is the first time we bring the festival to Koshi Province, and we are excited to engage with audiences outside Kathmandu. Our goal is to connect with more Nepalis through the powerful medium of cinema,” said Veronique Lorenzo, the European Union Ambassador to Nepal. She also noted that this festival holds special significance as the EU and Nepal are celebrating fifty years of diplomatic relations.
In addition to showing European films, the festival is shining a light on Nepali filmmakers. This year, 52 entries were submitted for short film competition, from which 11 exceptional were selected for screening in Itahari. We extend our congratulations to Shanta Nepali, whose film ‘‘Dhye Dreams’ poignantly depicts how women in the remote village of Dhye, Mustang, are adapting to climate change, the EU delegation to Nepal said. “Shanta will have the honour of representing Nepal at the first-ever festival of Nepali films in Brussels, commemorating 50 years of EU-Nepal relations from 2-4 Dec.”
Runner-up, Swoyam Maskey Manandhar, will also participate in the Brussels event with his film ‘The Bull, the Cow, and the Calf,’ which explores beautifully family dynamics in Nepal.
Festival highlights
The festival will kick off with the Bulgarian film ‘The Naked Truth of Zhiguli Band,’ a humorous and heart-warming tale about a band’s final concert to fund a father’s dream for his daughter’s future. The opening night will also feature the Nepali short film ‘Sanai.’
On 16 November at 11:00 AM, renowned director and writer Manoj Pandit will be the main speaker at an engaging discussion titled ‘Challenges and Opportunities of Nepali Filmmaking in Eastern Nepal.’ This interactive session will include insights from director Arun Kumar Pradhan and Ms. Sangita Shrestha, writer-director of the Nepali movie Katha Kathmandu, and IAWRT Nepal chapter member alongside film enthusiasts, writers, and directors. This session will be moderated by Manoj Dahal.
“We invite everyone to join us in this landmark event to celebrate the beauty of European cinema alongside the rich storytelling of Nepali filmmakers,” EU Nepal has said in its press release. For a detailed screening schedule and film synopses, one may visit the website: https://rb.gy/ry8mq2.
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