Kathmandu: The 8th Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF), a signature film festival of Nepal, has started in Kathmandu from Thursday, Chaitra 7.  The slogan for this year is Nepal International Film Festival, celebrate stories from around the world'.  

National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal, Pakistani Ambassador Abrar H. Hashmi, Director Deependra Gauchan, and NIFF Chairperson KP Pathak clapped the clapboard and inaugurated the event. A trailor of the 8th NIFF was also shown in the event.

The Chief Guest for the event, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal gave best wishes to NIFF. "These many national and international films being screened in one single platform is a win for Nepal. This festival will help Nepali film compete in international market and get access to reach international audience." "It is important to present cultural diversity and natural beauty to global audience. Having relentlessly organized NIFF for 8-long years  and screen films from different countries in one platform is a historical achievement for us all." Dahal highlighted. Dahal addressed how digital technology, AI, and evolving techniques of filmmaking has created both challeneges and threat  for filmmakers. "These challenges need to be turned into opportunities by adopting new technologies and inspire to look for new market. There are also maky outdated policies that we need to address, which I will try to solve from my end."

Addressing NIFF as a remarkable event, the Vice Chairperson of Nepal Tourism Board Kamal Sapkota said that NIFF has helped internationa filmmakers come together in one platform and build a network with global audience. "Connection between film and tourism is strong. One single film shot in Nepal can help attract international tourist in Nepal. We hope to see more international production houses willing to shoot in Nepal as the country can be a hub for binding tourism and cinema to explore creativity and expression."

His excellency Pakistani Ambassador to Nepal Mr. Abrar H. Hashmi praised the excellent composition of films in Nepal and praised the cultural heritage. "The rich cultural heritage and diversity that Nepal offers is always fascinating for Pakistanis and everyone who come here. It is important to have a platform for cultural cooperation of the film industry and cultural exchnage between filmmakers, artists, and art itself."

Actor Deepak Raj Giri also praised the effort NIFF has put into creating such a platform where filmmakers from different nations come together. "It is important to give continuity to film festival like NIFF as tgere are only few festivals. Being able to interact with different filmmakers and learn their art of storytelling has provided us an opportunity to grow and learn. Organizing a program like NIFF is challenging but my best wishes to everyone participating in the event."

Renowned Indian Film Critic Dr Rwita Dutta, who is also a jury in the film festival, highlighted the support Indian filmmakers get from the Indian government. "The Nepali government also needs to support to the Nepali filmmakers and artists. Organizing these kind of international film festivals, getting sponsors, advertisment, production, is a difficult task and government's help will make this process smooth.

Independent filmmakers are also getting an opportunity to showcase their film internationally, which plays a prime role in cultural exchange."

 Organized by the Nepal Film and Cultural Academy, NIFF will feature 87 films from 40 countries, providing audiences with a unique opportunity to explore a variety of cultures and narratives. 

The five-day festival is set to take place from March 21-25 in Kathmandu, and will be hosted across different venues, including QFX Cinema locations (Civil Mall and Chayya Center) and the Nepal Tourism Board. 

This year, NIFF is introducing two new award categories: the Audience Choice Award and the AI Award, aimed at recognizing the evolving landscape of film-making. 

The diverse jury include Dr. Rwita Dutta and Ponnam Ravichandra from india, Jamal Shah from Pakistan, Prof. Liu Jiayin from China; Surakshya Panta, Rakshya Rana Singh, and Deependra Gauchan from Nepal; Karimi Azimi from Iran; Khandaker Sumon from Bangladesh; and Joan Marc Montiel Diaz from Spain.
The festival will feature both national and international sections, with awards presented for the best feature films, short films, and documentaries in each category. The Mount Everest Award, which includes a cash prize of USD 1,000 and a trophy, will be given to the best international documentary. Meanwhile, the best international short film will receive the Bagmati Award, accompanied by a cash prize of USD 500 and a trophy. 

For the Artificial Intelligence category, the best film will be honored with the Manjushree Award, which also comes with a cash prize of USD 500 and a trophy.