KATHMANDU: The three-day Kathmandu Film Festival, organised by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, concluded on Sunday. The event, which began on October 29 with a heritage walk from Basantapur, wrapped up on October 31 at Boudha and the Taragaon Next amphitheatre.

Over the course of three days, the festival screened 40 films, including classic Nepali titles such as ‘Ke Ghar Ke Dera’ and ‘Kumari’, alongside short films and international panorama selections.

The closing ceremony commenced with a prayer and circumambulation of the Boudha Stupa, followed by a walk to Taragaon. Organisers stated that the walk was intended to familiarise creators with the daily life of Kathmandu. Speaking at the ceremony, acting mayor of Kathmandu Sunita Dangol noted that the city has fulfilled its commitment to host a film festival within four years of joining the Creative Cities Network.

Veteran actor Nir Shah praised the initiative, suggesting that the festival’s experiences should be documented and promoted for future generations. He remarked, ‘What the Kathmandu Metropolitan City is doing now should have been started by the government earlier. But regardless, it is a significant step that Kathmandu has started this.’

Actor Rajesh Hamal emphasised that film is a powerful medium to share societal stories with the public, adding that the city’s efforts will contribute to preserving art and creativity. Marco Muller, a distinguished professor at the Shanghai Film Academy, highlighted that Nepal holds immense potential for the film industry in South Asia. Creative director and curator Ayusha Shrestha described the festival as a landmark achievement in the history of the metropolis. During the event, tokens of appreciation were presented to various contributors, advisors, and partners who supported the festival.