KATHMANDU,

The documentary film 'Sahayak Sriman' (Co-Husband) which portrays the practice of polyandry which exists in some parts of Nepal, has won the 'Best International Documentary Award' in the USA. The ‘Best International Documentary Award' was awarded to 'Co-Husband' at the award ceremony held on the last day of the 8th Annual Cobb International Film Festival in Atlanta, USA which was held from August 4 to 7. 

According to a press statement issued on Monday, after receiving the award, Ganesh Panday, director of the documentary ‘Co-Husband’ said that this award is a matter of pride for Nepal and the Nepali people. He said, “It is a matter of pride for a documentary film made in Nepal to win the competition among documentaries from different countries. I believe that this will make Nepal proud at the international level.” According to Richard Tavernaro, the director of the Cobb International Film Festival, this year, 70 films were selected for the competition out of 600 films.

According to director Panday, 'Sahayak Sriman' (Co-Husband) has won seven international awards so far. 'Co-Husband', which started its journey from the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF), won the Best Documentary Award along with $1,000 at the Nepal International Film Festival. 

Likewise, it has won the Best Documentary Award at the Nepal Africa Film Festival held in Nepal, the International Film Festival of Shimla, India and the Grand Prix Award at the International Cannes Video Festival held in Russia. 'Co-Husband', which has been selected in more than a dozen film festivals in the world, won the Honourable Mention Award at the prestigious 29th International Film Festival of Mountain Films Poprad held in Poprad, Slovakia.

This 35-minute documentary film based on polygamy was shot in Humla, Karnali region. As many brothers as there are in the house, the unique custom of marrying one wife is still existing in some Himalayan districts of Nepal including Humla. Director Panday brought the same topic to the screen for the first time. Director Panday made ‘Co-Husband' after about four years of filming and research. 

The script of this documentary produced by Sign Media Pvt Ltd has also been written by Panday himself. It is produced by Sharda Gaire, Chief Assistant Director and Visual Editor Ishwar Koirala and Assistant Director Nripraj Hamal. Similarly, Ishwar Koirala, Chandman Dangol, Avinash Lama and Pukar Timilsina have captured this documentary on camera. The music has been composed by Jugal Dangol.

Even before this, director Panday's much-loved documentary film 'Bhagyale Bachekaharu' (Nepal Earthquake: Heroes, Survivors and Miracles) also won one and a half dozen international awards.