KATHMANDU, Dec 13: The 16th edition of Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF), concluded at Rastriya Sabha Griha (City Hall) and Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu on Tuesday. The film ‘A Thousand Girls like Me’ won the international category and won $1,500. A total of 14 films from 31 countries competed in the international level competition. 

The 16th edition of the festival explored the role of women in society as well as engaging them - both in filmmaking and film appreciation under the festival tagline ‘’Women Move Mountains’. Likewise, the film ‘The Next Guardian’ was the first runner-up and ‘Eastern Memories’ won second runner-up position. The movies received prize money of $1,000 and $500 respectively. The prizes for the top three were sponsored by Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Deep Laxmi Foundation, and Thamserku Trekking, respectively.

The KIMFF 2018 jury comprised of artistic director of Kendal Mountain Festival, UK, Claire Jane Carter, Australian filmmaker Jolyon Hoff, and Nepali filmmaker Tsering Rhitar Sherpa. The jury decided the top three films in the international competition (14 shortlisted) and the top documentary film and fiction film in the Nepal Panorama selection (20 films shortlisted). 
Besides showcasing the films, the film festival had a discussion and talk programs. Film producers, artists, mountaineers, and guests participated in an interaction program on the topics —‘Mountains Matter: A Call from the Himalayas’, ‘Breaking Code Red: A conversation on Menstruation and How to See It’ and ‘Breaking Barriers:  Prospective on Women and Adventure.’