Grand closing ceremony of the Second Nepal Cultural International Film Festival-2020 was hosted virtually this year. More than 70 people from different parts of the world attend the closing ceremony virtually. Closing ceremony was welcomed by Nepal Culture and Film Center Chairman Mr. Santosh Subedi. He addresses in the 21st Century we need festival diversity: Cinema is the most democratic art: it uses the most appropriate language for audiences and can be accessible almost everywhere because of the Internet. Film festivals can consolidate and maintain democracy, peace and freedom. This year our festival boasts over 41 films from 24 countries over the globe. Films were screened through the partner app Myfopi. Three different national and international webinars were organized virtually live through zoom. This film was the benchmark to show their talents. I hope that this Film Festival will continue to be a window for Grenadian friends to understand the Nepal customs, history, culture and social development. I look forward to more cultural exchanges and cooperation in the future. As we unite together to watch and view and air our own opinions; make judgements and become part of the story-telling traditions passed down to us through generations now enhanced and embellished with the aid of ever-captivating and improving technology; I wish all of you a wonderful fortnight of great cinema viewing on the larger than life screens. We hope you all enjoy our festival and we promise you to come back next year with physical event internationally Chief guest Mr. Nir Shah the Legendary Artist of Nepal Film Industry provided his warm regards and congratulatory message to all the winning films. He also addresses Civilizations always become richer and more colorful through exchanges and mutual learning from each other. Such exchanges and mutual learning form an important drive for human progress as well as global peace and development. Cultural events, such as this Film Festival, enable direct exchanges and dialogues among civilizations and peoples.
Nepal Culture and Film Center Patron General Rookmangud Katawal the former Chief of Nepal Army address his views regarding the current pandemic circumstances organizers are able to organized virtually with was supposed to happen at TIFF Bell lightBox Canada, and he welcome to all the film representatives, delegates, press representatives, and jury members to this closing ceremony. He Said Film speaks a universal language. It has meaning and relevance for all peoples, regardless of their national, cultural or social backgrounds. Film, as one popular means of modern art, breaks the barriers of peoples, underscoring the values, feelings and longings that are shared by human beings. Jury member Liane Cunje, the Program Director of Toronto International Film Festival, Canada, provided her speech regarding the film selection process representing the jury members. She said a unique atmosphere has been created here, allowing artists and their audiences to communicate with each other freely, to address the most vital concerns, and to seek solutions. I am certain that this year’s edition has impressed the locals and visitors alike, and yielded a lot of valuable insights. We all jury members along with the festival team have decided to announce 13 different encouragement awards to all the winning films. Films winners were announced by Chief Guest, NCFC Patron, NCFC Chairman, NCFC Advisor and Jury Members respectively. NARRATIVE FEATURE FILMS Encouragement Award SERKU: The Golden Statue | Nepal | feature narrative | Urmila Waiba Tamang DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMS Encouragement Award LIVING ON THE EDGE | India | feature doc | Opender Chanana working conditions in Bollywood Encouragement Award ONE NOTE AT A TIME | U.K | feature Doc | Renee Edwards clinic established in NOLA for musicians after Katrina Encouragement Award MYSTERY OF A BURYAT LAMA | Siberia | feature doc |Elena Demidova CHILDREN’S SHORT FILMS Encouragement Award MARTINA CAN SWIM | ITALY | short narrative |Giorgio Molteni Best Children’s Short Award A HOME FOR CURIOSITIES | U.S. | short narrative |Ben Tobin SHORT NARRATIVES Best Short Narrative SOAP AND WATER | SPAIN | short narrative |Francesco cocco Encouragement Award IN YOUR PLACE | ITALY | short narrative | Giuseppe Carleo Encouragement Award TICKET | Indian | short narrative |Abhik Das Encouragement Award NEW HEAVEN | U.S. | short narrative | Swati Chugh Encouragement Film Award THE TYPIST | BANGLADESH | short narrative |Nayem Haque SHORT DOCUMENTARIES Best Short Documentary Award INTO THE JUNGLE | Nepal | short doc | Justin Davey wildlife conservation and climate change Best Women’s Film Award EDUCATE OUR DAUGHTERS | NEPAL | short doc | Belmaya Nepali Similarly remarks were provided by the participants from different parts of the world. Winners were provided platforms to share their winning views. The closing ceremony was hosted by Mis. Urusha josh and was concluded by 2ND NCIFF chairperson Mr. Santosh subedi by providing congratulatory messages to all the winners.
