KATHMANDU, Dec17: With a national and international set of films being screened, the fervur of the 15th Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) has gripped short film lovers and film enthusiasts. Since its inception in 2000, KIMFF has been serving as an effective medium to enhance the status of filmmaking in the country, and has grown in progressive terms to its 15th edition. 

My City team talked with a few people at the event, asked them how important they thought film festivals like KIMFF are, and got to know which films they liked the best and why.

Sudha Humagain, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus (BSC 3rd Year)

I am enjoying the film festival and it’s my first time at KIMFF. I am also working as a volunteer here. It’s a lifetime experience where you not only get to watch the movies but are also able to interact with the moviemakers. The films shown here are related to real life. And through the movies, I have learnt many things which I did not know before.

Nancy Goyal, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus (BSC 3rd Year)

This is my first time at KIMFF and I am volunteering here. I am glad to have the opportunity because I got to meet various kinds of people. The movies being showcased are inspiring. As a student of environment science, I was able to learn about the environmental condition of Nepal as well as foreign countries though many films. This kind of film festivals is a window to learn about different kinds of people and places. If given the opportunity, I would love to volunteer again next year. 

Sujan Gurung, Teacher, Loyalty Academy

This is my second time at KIMFF. I have always enjoyed film festivals as they’re a breath of fresh air from the commercial films that steal the buzz. We get to see some real stories at the film festivals and this season I liked ‘Pink Tiffany’ the most. I really liked how the title represented the whole film. And the feedback sessions between moviemakers and audience was also helpful. I came to know about the struggle of third genders and how Meghna worked her way to success. The film shows that nothing is impossible if you have faith and courage in yourself. I salute Meghna’s courage for accepting her identity and coming out of the closet.

Gita Thapa, Employee, Nepal Good Weave Foundation 

I watched three films today and I found all of them inspiring. After watching ‘Pink Tiffany’, ‘Jaalagedi’ (A Curious Girl) and ‘La Salson Du Silence’ (The Sound of Winter), I got to experience the lifestyle of people living in rural areas of Nepal, transgender people and those living abroad in a cold environment. These documentaries help us to virtually reach the places where we cannot go and get to learn about the environment and people living there. I think film festivals like KIMFF help to inspire young people and motivated them to do something in life. I have few friends who are inspired by KIMFF and are making films.

Sahayog Ranjit, Nepal Law Campus (MA 1st Year)

KIMFF and other similar film festivals are a great platform to showcase movies, which cover contemporary and non-mainstream issues of the society. These festivals are also a great way to promote short filmmakers, young directors and movie students to show their talent. Another positive factor of such festivals is that the audience gets to interact with the films’ teams through Q&A sessions and get further insight of the movies. From the movies I watched today, I liked ‘Pink Tiffany’ the best as it is a representation of one of the most important issues of our society. It talks about the discrimination faced by transgenders in our society and how difficult it is for them to survive. It might inspire many transgenders and help their parents to accept them as they are.

Aashish Paudel, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus (BSC 3rd Year)

For youths like us, these kinds of film festivals are also a platform to learn the skills of leadership and get inspired. This is my first experience, and I am enjoying my time here as a volunteer as well as an audience. The documentaries shown here helped us to learn about life in different parts of the world and the challenges they have to face. Moreover, being a volunteer I have learnt what happens behind the curtain. This has become a way for me to meet new people and interact with them. Lastly, the experience here has definitely helped me to learn leadership.