SATV, Kathmandu, Jun. 03 - The 23rd edition of the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) concluded on Sunday after five days of film screenings, discussions, exhibitions and cultural exchanges, celebrating stories from Nepal and around the world.
More than 50 films from 29 countries were screened during the festival, which also featured panel discussions, interactive sessions, exhibitions and networking opportunities for filmmakers and audiences.
The organisers said The Oldest Munro Bagger won the Best Feature Documentary award in the international competition and received a cash prize of US$1,500. The Anti Expedition secured the Best Short Documentary award, receiving US$1,000.
In the fiction category, Ha Lyngkha Bneng (The Elysian Field) was awarded Best Feature Fiction with a cash prize of US$1,500, while Ali won Best Short Fiction and received US$1,000.
The international jury was headed by Indian film programmer Deepti D'Cunha and included Chalida Uabumrungjit of Thailand, Nepali writer Kumar Nagarkoti and Italian festival director Luca Bich.
In the Nepal Panorama section, My Mom is a Bodybuilder was named Best Documentary, while Saanjhakaa Rangaharu won the Best Fiction award. Both films received cash prizes of Rs. 100,000 each.
The winners in the Nepal Panorama section were selected by a jury comprising Lucie De Barros of Alliance Française Kathmandu, filmmaker Nabin Chauhan and film journalist Reena Moktan.
The Audience Award, carrying a prize of Rs. 100,000, went to Climbing for Life, directed by Japanese filmmaker Sakamoto Junji. The film is based on the life of Junko Tabei, the first woman to climb Mount Everest.
This year's festival opened with the Nepal premiere of Shape of Momo by Tribeny Rai. Other highlights included a special screening of Climbing for Life, discussions on cinema and censorship, and conversations on the changing landscape of Nepali filmmaking. Youth-oriented screenings and panel discussions also provided opportunities for young audiences and aspiring filmmakers to engage with industry professionals.
In addition, filmmakers participated in mentorship, pitching and project development sessions through Kathmandu Doc Lab and Chalachitra Lab, further strengthening the festival's role as a platform for nurturing emerging talent.
