Dec 14, Kathmandu: Two films from Canada and the US have won the Best Award at the Kathmandu International Film Festival (KIMF). Canada’s ‘Far Beyond the Pasturelands and US’s ‘Kumari: A Father’s Dream’ received Special Mention awards for the international section.

Directed by Moulay Planty Husaruc and Maxime Lacoste Labius, ‘Beyond and Pastureland’ tells the story of a character named Lalita, who climbs a high mountain to take Yarsagumba, a resident of Malikot, by fair means.

The jury, while awarding the film, said, ‘This attempt to live the dream of the inhabitants of a distant geography makes us realize that this situation can happen not only in Nepal but also elsewhere.’

Directed by American director Sean O’Connor, ‘Kumari: A Father’s Dream tells the story of pathfinder Jagat Lama and others trying to rebuild and strengthen an earthquake-ravaged slum. While giving the award, the jury said, ‘Its story is told in a very inspiring way.’

For the international section, British director Hugo Saunders The Second Summit was the first choice, Swiss directors Lisa Rosie and Karelin Flunk's Sophie Lavaud: Lady 8000’ was the second choice, and French director Mathieu Ley’s ‘A White Dream’ was the first choice. Was. Third option.

Wheels on the Bus, directed by Surya Shahi, was adjudged the best film for the Nepal Panorama segment. ‘The Iron Digger’ directed by Anil Budhmagar was adjudged the best documentary.

‘Senako Cheli’ directed by Ingi Hopo Konich Sunuwar and ‘Hazur’ directed by Pinky Shrish Rana jointly received the Special Mention Award for Nepal Panorama. Vidya Chapgai and Kamal Kumar’s film ‘Baghko Bangara’ from the ‘Harne Katha’ series won the Audience Choice Award at this year’s KIMF.

This time Kimf had Michael Paz, Jinnah Lee, and Kiran Bhakt Joshi as judges. The last film of the five-day-long festival at the National Auditorium and Tourism Board was ‘Flying from Everest’ by Australian director Joy Carter.

Organized by Himal Association and co-organized by Kathmandu Metropolis, the 20th edition of the festival screened 60 films from 30 countries. The theme of KIMF this year was ‘Sustainable Climbing’, in which films on mountains, mountain culture, environment, and human rights were screened.