Kathmandu . The eagerly anticipated 7th Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) is poised to grace the screens from March 14 to 18 across various venues in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur cities.

Building on the success of its previous editions, NIFF 2024 promises an enriching cinematic experience, showcasing 88 films carefully curated from 40 countries worldwide. The festival maintains its commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration between Nepali and international filmmakers.

Since the call for entries opened in July 2023, the response has been overwhelming, with over 500 films submitted from more than 60 countries. The selection committee diligently narrowed down the selection to 88 outstanding films, including noteworthy works acclaimed at esteemed international events like Cannes, Locarno Film Festival, and Berlinale.

The festival program encompasses national and international competitions, with awards presented for the best narrative short, narrative feature, and documentary/non-fiction films. Beyond screenings, NIFF 2024 will host workshops and interactive sessions, aiming to stimulate discussions and the exchange of ideas for the growth of the national film industry.

This year’s film screenings will unfold simultaneously at various QFX Cinema venues, including Civil Mall, Chaya Center, Labim Mall, and Bhaktapur Bhatbhateni, in collaboration with our partner QFX Cinemas. Moreover, plans are underway to extend simultaneous screenings to theaters in each province, with details to be disclosed later.

Notable awards include the Gautama Buddha Award for the best international feature film, carrying a cash prize of US$ 1500 and a trophy. Collaborating with the International Federation of Film Societies (IFFS), NIFF will also present the Don Quijote Award to another outstanding feature film in the international competition.

Recognizing excellence in documentary filmmaking, the Mt. Everest Award, accompanied by US$ 1000 and a trophy, will be bestowed upon the best international documentary film. The Bagmati Award, with a cash prize of US$ 500 and a trophy, awaits the best international short film.

On the national front, the best national feature film will be honored with NPR 1,00,000 in cash and a trophy, while the best national short and documentary films will each receive NPR 50,000 in cash along with trophies.

The festival introduces new accolades in 2024, including the ‘Audience Choice Award’ and an online survey to gauge audience preferences, habits, and suggestions regarding Nepali cinema, conducted in collaboration with partners like the Khalti mobile app.

The complete list of films selected for the 7th Nepal International Film Festival accompanies this press release. As NIFF continues to captivate audiences, we extend our gratitude for your unwavering support in making this festival a resounding success.