7th Nepal Cultural International Film Festival Concludes

KATHMANDU. The 7th Nepal Cultural International Film Festival (NCIFF) 2026, organized by the Nepal Culture and Film Center, has concluded in Kathmandu. The festival, which ran for three days starting from January 30, showcased 85 films from 39 countries. The closing ceremony was held at a special function at the Nepal Police Club in Bhrikutimandap.

During the closing ceremony, various national and international films and filmmakers were presented with awards. In the national feature film category, ‘The Secret of Radha,’ directed by Subarna Thapa, won the Best National Film award.

Jitu Nepal received the Best National Actor award for the film ‘Jwain Saab,’ while Swastima Khadka was declared Best National Actress for the film ‘Kosedhunga.’ Saroj Paudel, the director of ‘Kosedhunga,’ won the Best National Director award, while Narendra Mainali won Best National Cinematography for ‘The Secret of Radha.’ Sachin Ghimire received the Best National Writer award for the documentary ‘Into the Mist.’

The short film ‘Drishya (The Light of Eyes)’ received the National Special Mention award. Jury Special Mention awards were presented to Patrika Ghimire’s ‘What Grows in Thari Maila’s Vegetable Garden?’ and Dabbu Chhetri’s ‘The Change.’

In other national categories, ‘Inar’ directed by Daniel Gadal won Best National Short Film, ‘Girls Rewriting Destiny’ directed by Lawa Pyakurel won Best National Documentary, ‘Silent Scars’ directed by Govinda Prasad Dhakal won Best National Children’s Film, ‘Rang Sabai Gulabi’ directed by Aastha Shrestha won Best National Women’s Film, and ‘Ajima and Six Genders’ directed by Sunil Babu Pant won Best National Cultural Film.

More than 40 international filmmakers, jurors, and guests participated in the festival. International jury member Adriana Kulig from the UK, Dr. Jorge Carovotta from Argentina, Senior Director of the Nepal Tourism Board Surya Thapalia, and Country Representative of WWF Nepal Dr. Ghanashyam Gurung participated in a panel discussion held under the international category.

According to the organizers, the festival was completed in collaboration and support with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Bagmati Province, Gokarneshwor Municipality, the Film Development Board, and the Nepal Tourism Board. A master class was also conducted by Australian film director Moulinath Ganguly as part of the festival.

In the international film category, ‘Rhythm of Damam’ by Indian director Jayan Cherian won the Best International Feature Film award. Chinmaya Siddhi won the Best International Actor award for the same film. 

‘Kuppa’ by Australian director Moulinath Ganguly won Best International Short Film, ‘The Head’ by Lithuanian director Giedre Geneviciute won Best International Feature Documentary, and ‘Gimpel: The Fool Returns to Poland’ by Israeli director Howard Ripp won Best International Short Documentary.

Similarly, ‘The People Closest to Heaven’ by British director Swekriti Rai won Best International Women’s Film, ‘Spark’ from Kazakhstan won Best International Children’s Film, ‘Redacted Dreams’ by Canadian director Fariba Farzam won Best International Human Rights Film, ‘Ray the Rug’ from Thailand won Best International Animation Film, and ‘The Taste of Honey’ from Bangladesh won Best International Environmental Film.

Shanti Mohan and Mukunda Murthy won the Best International Director award for the Indian film ‘See It!’. Oli Durr from Germany won the Best International Writer award for ‘Zeppelin Right Above,’ while Caroline Rohrig from Brazil won the Best International Actress award for ‘Try Your Luck.’

Benish Muzasaba from India won the Best International Cinematography award for ‘Nature’s Bandage,’ and ‘Where the Kids Have No Name’ by Bangladeshi director Jamillah Van Der Hulst won the International Jury Award.

In the Special Mention awards, ‘Mahakumbh: An Ocean of Devotion’ by Hong Kong director Christine Young, ‘New Dawn’ by Chinese director Bing Luo, and ‘Casa Susana’ by French director Pauline Bernard-Vernay were honored.