The vibrant city of Janakpurdham is currently hosting the second edition of the Janakpur International Film Festival (JIFF). Kicking off last Friday at Maithili Bhawan, the event is organized by the Sambad Foundation with a mission to promote Nepali civilization and Mithila culture on the global stage.
The festival, which runs until Monday, Phagun 11 (February 23), features a diverse lineup of 60 films. These include works in Maithili, Nepali, and several international languages, providing a unique bridge between local storytelling and global cinema.
Highlights of the Festival
Cultural Preservation: Festival Chair Kumar Bhaskar emphasized that Janakpur is the heart of Mithilanchal. The festival aims to showcase the region's rich heritage while integrating the Maithili language more deeply into the broader Nepali film industry.
Educational Impact: During the opening ceremony, Professor Amar Prasad Yadav, Vice-Chancellor of Rajarshi Janak University, noted that such festivals are vital for students. He mentioned that the university is even discussing including film studies in its curriculum to guide aspiring filmmakers.
Diverse Screenings: The festival opened with the film 'Shakti' by Nani Sahra Walker. The schedule includes:
International Panorama: Global stories across fiction and documentary.
Nepali Panorama: A focus on homegrown narratives.
Student & Regional Panoramas: Platforms for young voices and local filmmakers.
Why Janakpur Matters for Cinema
Film critic Samipya Raj Timalsena pointed out that while the Terai region has a high density of cinema halls and enthusiastic audiences, they are often more drawn to foreign films. Events like JIFF are crucial for redirecting that local interest toward Nepali and Maithili-language productions, helping to grow the domestic market from the ground up.
Beyond the screenings, the festival is packed with panel discussions and group workshops, turning Janakpur into a temporary hub for film professionals and enthusiasts to exchange ideas.
Actually, it’s quite impressive to see Janakpur becoming a cinematic destination. Just last week, we saw the movie Bhatbhate start filming there, and now this international festival is in full swing. Or at least, it shows that the "Mithila spirit" is alive and well in the arts.
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