Kathmandu — The ninth edition of the Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) wrapped up on a celebratory note, with Deepak Rauniyar's Rajaganj: Pooja Sir claiming the festival's most prestigious honor — the Best International Film Award — along with a prize of USD 1,500.
On the national front, it was Samundra Bhatt's Gunyu Cholo: The Dress that stole the evening, walking away with the Best National Film Award, a trophy, and USD 1,000. The film proved to be the night's biggest winner overall — Bhatt also took home the Best Director award, while Nazir Hussain earned Best Actor for his performance in the same film. Suraksha Panta, meanwhile, won Best Actress for her role in Koshedhungha.
Other national honors included the Best Screenplay award, which went to Dipendra Gauchan for Keti Haraeko Soochana, and the Best Cinematography award, claimed by Babu Shrestha, also for Koshedhungha.
In the South Asian competition, the Nepali-language Indian film Jar, directed by Phurwa Chhiring Lama, was named the best in its category and received a trophy along with USD 500.
The Best International Documentary award traveled all the way to Iceland, with Ground Beneath Our Feet, directed by Irsa Roca Fvanberg, earning a trophy and USD 1,000. Iran's short film Sip, helmed by Hadi Babeifar, took the Best International Short Film award and USD 500. The Best AI-Themed Short Film honor went to the Chinese production Spirit of the Mountain, directed by Pang Jia, who also received a trophy and USD 500.
Mexico's Passarinho was named Best Student Film, earning its makers a trophy and USD 500.
On the national documentary and short film side, Home Is Not a Place by Deepak Chhoden Lama won Best National Documentary, while Suraj Paudel's Rihana claimed Best National Short Film — both honored with trophies and NPR 50,000.
The Don Quijote Award for Best International Film went to Iranian director Hesam Farahmand's My Daughter's Hair, recognized with a certificate. Special Mention honors were awarded to As Day Goes By (national documentary), India's Housekeeper (international short), and China's The Shore of Life (international film, Special Jury Mention), directed by Chi Zhang.
The ninth edition of NIFF had kicked off on Chaitra 19.
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