KATHMANDU, Dec 2: Nepal launch of the Global Migration Film Festival (GMFF) 2021 was marked on December 1 in Pokhara with screening of a Nepali feature film Bulbul, a film that revolves around lives of a migrant’s family.

The International Office of Migration (IOM) in a statement said it has been hosting film screenings around the globe as part of the Global Migration Film Festival (GMFF) 2021 which will take place from November 28 to December 18. In Nepal, IOM will be organizing a couple more screenings in other provinces as well. Every film screening will be followed by discussion with migration experts in the country. 

Nepali feature film Bulbul depicts a story of a left behind woman/family of a migrant worker. The film is critically acclaimed and won the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) award in 2019. A post-screening discussion was followed focusing on issues of women migrants and women/family left behind, according to the statement. 

 “Films can be the voice of those voiceless. Through the GMFF, we reach out to diverse sectors – from young people to the policy makers, civil society and media among others – and initiate dialogues around migration,” the statement quotes Lorena Lando, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission for Nepal addressing the inaugural session as saying. 

The GMFF was launched in 2016 and has been present in over 100 countries around the world attended by thousands of audiences each year.

 
• GMFF
 
• IOM
 
• Bulbul
 
• Pokhara