NEUFF- 2024 Grandly Completed

KATHMANDU – Film Journalist Sriju Saral was declared the winner and Prasun Sangroula as runner-up in the Film Critics Competition organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal. The winners were announced in a program organized by the Delegation to celebrate the success of the 2024 Nepal European Union Film Festival (NEUFF) this afternoon.

“First of all, I am very surprised! I am also feeling honored to be announced as the winner of this dignified competition. Also feeling challenged to learn more and do much better ahead,” Sriju Saral said, responding to her winning the award.

“I feel honored and proud to have secured the second award in the film critics competition. This award has motivated me to produce even better work in the upcoming days. Thank you EU for this opportunity. I hope the EU will continue to organize such programs in the future so that all film critics feel motivated to write more”, said Prasun Sangroula, the runner-up of the competition.

The film reviews were evaluated by a three member jury comprising senior film journalist and scriptwriter Samipya Raj Timalsena, noted poet Bimala Tumkhewa and a representative of the Delegation.

“The world over, film criticism is considered an inalienable part of film culture. In certain time in history, in European countries such as Italy, the film critics there had given new direction to its national cinema.

We cannot expect the same level of intervention in Nepal because the film industry, filmmakers and film critics are all not aware of the significance of film criticism. In such a context, the Film Critics Competition organized by the European Union/Nepal European Union Film Festival (NEUFF) is commendable. Regarding the evaluation of the reviews/criticism, it was a challenge for us. All the reviews/criticisms received in the competition were brilliant. As it was a contest, two winners had to be declared on the basis of the criteria we had developed for the competition. However, I am very happy to share that all the film critics who participated in the contest are accomplished in the art of film criticism”, chief jury Samipya Raj Timalsena said.

Sriju Saral had reviewed Short Nepali film ‘Phera’ (Whirl) directed by Anil Kurmie, and Irish film ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ directed by Martin McDonagh. Prasun Sangroula had reviewed Bulgarian film ‘The Naked Truth About Zhiguli Band’ directed by Victor Bojinov and Short Nepali film ‘Rato Pachheuri’ (A tale of turmoil, temptation & triumph) by Miraz Roshan Thakuri.

A total of 14 participants had successfully participated in the competition, submitting reviews of a minimum of one Nepali short film and one European film that were screened in 2024 NEUFF.

Senior film journalist Shantipriya, president of Nepal Film Directors Society and film director Janakdeep Parajuli, senior film director Madhab Raj Kharel, journalist Rina Moktan and other film workers and journalists were present. In the program, the Delegation also felicitatedwinners and participants of Short Film Competition organized as complimentary event to the 2024 NEUFF as well as 20 individuals who supported the organization of the film festival in Kathmandu, Mahendrangar, Nepalgunj and Surkhet.

Documentary film ‘Dhye Dreams’, directed by Shanta Nepali, was given award for the best short film.  ‘The Bull, The Cow, The Calf ‘directed by Swoyan Maskey Manandhar was given Special Mention certificate. Responding to her winning the contest Shanta Nepali said, “It was truly an emotional and proud moment for our team and me to receive recognition and motivation for our film. We poured our hearts and souls into bringing the voices of the people from Dhye to light, and to be acknowledged for our efforts means the world to us. I am deeply grateful to the festival team for their appreciation and honouring us with this award.”

A total of 11 short films were officially selected for the film festival, including‘Divination’ (Aakhat) directed by Acharya v, ‘Hawaman’ directed by Samal Bajracharya, ‘Kathmandu Monsoon’ directed by Nigma Gelu Sherpa, ‘Makhmali Udaan’ directed by Atin Shrestha, “#LetsTalkPERIOD – Breaking Taboos in Nepal” directed by Rajin Maharjan, ‘Rato Paccheuri’ directed by Miraz Roshan Thakuri, ‘Sanai’ directed by Akanchha Karki, and‘The Mirage’ directed by Santosh Dahal and ‘Whril’(Phera) directed by Anil Kurmi.

The winners and runner-ups of the Film Critics Competition and Short Film Competition will travel to Brussels to participate in the Nepali Film Festival, the first Nepali film festivalbeing organized by the Delegation in early December, 2024.

After successful organization of the 2024 Nepal European Union Film Festival (NEUFF) in Kathmandu, Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj and Surkhet, the eastern leg of the 2024 Nepal European Union Film Festival (NEUFF) will be organized in Itahari on 16, 17 and 18th November, 2024.