KATHMANDU, Nov 14: The Delegation of the European Union to Nepal is bringing the Nepal European Union Film Festival (NEUFF) to Itahari from November 15 to 18, marking its first-ever screening in Koshi Province. Being hosted at Elite Cinema, the festival will feature nine captivating European films, with six offering Nepali subtitles, making European culture more accessible to local audiences.
After successful screenings in Kathmandu, Mahendranagar, Surkhet, and Nepalgunj earlier this year, the festival is now reaching out to a broader audience in eastern Nepal. "We are excited to bring the festival to Itahari," said EU Ambassador to Nepal, Veronique Lorenzo. "This year is especially significant as we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the EU and Nepal, and what better way to mark this milestone than through cinema?"
Nepal European Union Film Festival to begin virtually
In addition to European films, the festival showcases local talent through a short film competition. Out of 52 impressive entries, 11 films were selected for screening, including Dhye Dreams by Shanta Nepali, which portrays how women in Mustang’s Dhye village are adapting to climate change. Shanta will represent Nepal at the inaugural Nepali film festival in Brussels, from December 2-4, celebrating 50 years of EU-Nepal relations. The runner-up, Swoyam Maskey Manandhar, will also participate in the Brussels festival with his film The Bull, the Cow, and the Calf, which explores family dynamics in Nepal.
The festival’s opening night will feature the Bulgarian film The Naked Truth of Zhiguli Band, a humorous and heartfelt story about a band’s final performance, followed by the Nepali short film Sanai. On November 16 at 11:00 AM, director Manoj Pandit will lead a discussion on Challenges and Opportunities of Nepali Filmmaking in Eastern Nepal. The panel will include directors Arun Kumar Pradhan and Sangita Shrestha, moderated by Manoj Dahal.
