Capital buzzes with film festivals as Kathmandu Film Festival and horror film fest open

Two film festivals began simultaneously in the capital on Friday.

The three-day Kathmandu Film Festival 2083, organised by Kathmandu Metropolitan City, will run until Sunday, Kartik 15. The first day featured a heritage walk in Basantapur, cultural programmes and an opening ceremony.

Participants at the festival include Indian actress Shabana Azmi, Japanese director Takayuki Nakamura, Shanghai Film Academy professor Marco Mueller and Indian film programmer Deepti D'Cunha, among others. According to metropolis spokesperson Nabin Manandhar, the festival will feature film screenings alongside interactions, masterclasses, a red carpet and an awards ceremony. A conversation with actress Azmi about film and her life experiences is scheduled for Saturday.

Acting chief Sunita Dangol said the festival was organised to connect Kathmandu's old tradition of storytelling with the younger generation and cinema.

Meanwhile, the second Kathmandu Horror Film Festival also opened on Friday afternoon at the Russian House. Organised by the Nepal Film and Cultural Academy and Cinemakers, the festival was inaugurated by chief guest Manish Pandit, chair of the Film Development Board, who lit a ceremonial lamp. Pandit pledged support for the development of genre cinema.

The opening was attended by Russian House director Anastasia Khokhlova and Japanese embassy deputy chief Yasuharu Shinto, among others. To boost audience participation, a direct voting system has been introduced this time, through which the winning film will be chosen.