Kathmandu. The ninth edition of the Nepal International Film Festival (NIF) has started from Thursday. The festival, which will run until March 23, has started with the screening of the Iranian film ‘My Daughter’s Hair’ directed by Hishant Farahmand.

Communication Secretary Laxmikumari Basnet was the chief guest at the opening ceremony held at QFX Hall of Civil Mall in Sundhara.

Ambassador of Brazil Carlos Alberto den Hartog, Ambassador of Pakistan Abrar Hashmi, Ambassador of Sri Lanka Ruvanthi Delpitia, Chairman of Film Development Board Dinesh DC and Indian director and producer Ramesh Sippy were present as special guests at the ceremony.

Director Prem Basnet of the first color film ‘Kumari’, actress Chaityadevi Singh, director Samudra Regmi and other filmmakers also participated in the ceremony.

Communication Secretary Basnet expressed her hope that NIF will help in expanding relations with the Nepali film market and other film industries. Brazilian Ambassador Hartog wished Niff success.

He also discussed the story of the selected films from his country. Pakistani Ambassador Hasmi wished success to NIF and said that he was participating in this festival for the third time.

Ramesh Sippy, the director of the Bollywood film ‘Sholay’, spoke about the importance of film festivals in the current era of AI. Festival President KP Pathak accepted the invitation and expressed his gratitude to all the guests, filmmakers and journalists who attended the event.

88 films from 40 countries are scheduled to be screened at the festival. The organizers said that 6 Chinese and 4 Russian films will be screened out of the competition.

‘Russian Film Days’ will be organized at the Russian Cultural Center. On other days as well, the films shown at this place can be seen for free. This time, Sijang Panorama has also been organized in NIF.

Under which 6 Chinese movies and documentaries will be shown. These films will be available free of charge at the Tourism Board and the Shadow Centre. Among the competing films, there will be paid screenings at Civil Mall and Chayaan Center.

There are 10 interactive working groups under NIF. In which makers from different countries will share their experiences.