Kathmandu is set to become a global hub of cultural and creative cinema as the 7th Nepal Cultural International Film Festival (NCIFF) kicks off from Magh 16 to Magh 18 (January 30 to February 1). Organized by the Nepal Culture and Film Centre, the festival has been held continuously for the past seven years with the aim of promoting meaningful cinema rooted in culture, society, and creative expression.
This year’s edition will showcase 85 semifinalist films from 39 countries, reflecting the growing international recognition of the festival. Festival Co-Director Srishti Neupane informed that the organizers received over 700 film submissions from more than 75 countries. After a rigorous selection process, 138 films from 52 countries were officially chosen, out of which 85 films advanced to the award competition.
The festival will be held across three major venues in Kathmandu. The Film Development Board in Chabahil will host the Opening Ceremony and film screenings throughout all three days of the festival. The venue will also feature a special Master Class on filmmaking, conducted by renowned Australian filmmaker Mounlinath Ganguly, aimed at providing practical insights to emerging filmmakers and students.
Selected screenings will also take place at the Nepal Tourism Board in Bhrikutimandap, where audiences will additionally experience a special Art Exhibition highlighting creative works related to cinema, culture, and visual arts. Meanwhile, the Nepal Police Club will host panel discussions focusing on cinema, culture, tourism, and creative industries, followed by cultural performances and the Closing Ceremony along with the Award Presentation.
Festival Director and Chairman Santosh Subedi stated that the festival features a rich diversity of films, including short films, feature films, documentaries, and animated works, along with special thematic films focusing on women, children, human rights, and cultural narratives. He added that the selected films range in length from three minutes to two and a half hours, showcasing a wide spectrum of storytelling styles and cinematic approaches.
To ensure fair and high-quality evaluation, the festival has appointed a distinguished panel of international and national jury members. The international jury includes film professionals and researchers from the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Georgia, Argentina, Tunisia, and Latvia, while the national jury features well-known Nepali film personalities, including actors, directors, producers, and cinematographers.
The festival has attracted films from across South Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, and Oceania, with participation from countries such as India, Bangladesh, China, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, Argentina, Tunisia, South Africa, Brazil, Spain, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Egypt, and Morocco, among others.
During the Closing Ceremony, a total of **30 films—15 national and 15 international—**will be awarded across various categories. In addition, special honors will be presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the film and cultural sectors. Films will compete for awards including Best Film, Director, Actor, Actress, Cinematography, as well as Best Short Film, Documentary, Animated Film, Women-focused Film, Children’s Film, and Human Rights Film.
With its growing scale and global participation, the Nepal Cultural International Film Festival continues to strengthen Kathmandu’s position on the international cultural cinema map.
