The second Janakpur International Film Festival was successfully held in the historic city of Janakpur from Falgun 8 to 11 for four days. Organized by the Sambad Foundation, the festival showcased over 65 national and international films.
Festival Director Mr. Kumar Bhaskar emphasized the need for investment in film tourism to promote Janakpur’s cultural identity on an international scale.
Held under the theme “Stories Beyond Borders: Where Culture Meets Cinema,” the four-day festival highlighted Janakpur’s rich historical and religious heritage while fostering cross-cultural cinematic exchange.
Awards and Recognitions:
The festival’s closing ceremony recognized outstanding achievements across several categories:
International Panorama:
Best Short Narrative Film: “Cups” by David Casals from Rome
Best Feature Narrative Film: “Drained by Dreams” by Sheikh Al Mamun
Documentary & Animation:
Best Short Documentary: “Said Capillo” by Rostam Nazari
Best Feature Documentary: “Hamar Ramlila” by Rinku Sharma
Best Animation: “Fear/Starch” by Bartosz Jarzyski
Student Panorama:
Best Documentary: “Built on Hope” by Kathrin Elis Kovalenko
Best Narrative Film: “Cats” by Danilo Stanimirović
Regional Panorama:
Best Short Film: “Sakar Bakar (River Red)” by Biplav Biswas
Nepali Panorama:
Best Short Narrative Film: “Nilo Aakash” by Nirmal Paudel
Best Documentary: “Mitkpa” by Srijanraj Pandey
Festival Highlights and Statements:
Kumar Bhaskar, festival director, explained the role of the festival to promote Janakpur’s historical, religious, and cultural identity on a global platform. He extended an invitation to international filmmakers to consider the city for future productions, citing its authenticity and religious significance as unique assets for cinematic storytelling.
Bhaskar also encouraged Nepali filmmakers to create films based on historical sites and cultural heritage, noting that cinema is an effective medium to connect younger generations with history.
In his remarks, he urged federal, provincial, and local government bodies to prioritize infrastructure development and investment in the region to support the growth of film tourism. In addition to film screenings, the festival featured cultural performances and a series of panel discussions focused on the intersection of cinema, heritage, and economic development.
