Kathmandu: The third edition of the Nepal International Theatre Festival (NITFest) 2025 is set to take place from March 19 to 27 in Kathmandu and Pokhara, featuring 17 plays from 12 countries.



Organized by Mandala Theatre-Nepal, the festival will be held across multiple venues, including Mandala Aagan, Mandala Studio, and Mandala Theatre in Kathmandu, as well as Pokhara Theatre in Pokhara.



With the slogan "Theatre for Social Transformation: Light of Indigenous Wisdom," the festival aims to foster communal harmony, celebrate social diversity, and preserve intangible cultural heritage through artistic expression.



According to the organizers, NITFest 2025 will provide a platform for global theatre groups and artists to address socio-political issues through their performances.



The festival will showcase productions from Nepal, China, Germany, India, Iran, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Scotland, Spain, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom.



The selection committee has chosen plays that highlight the socio-political realities of communities worldwide.



Beyond stage performances, NITFest 2025 will feature daily interactions, panel discussions, seminars, open-air performances, theatre photo exhibitions, cultural stalls, and an encouragement award ceremony.



Organizers emphasize that the event will serve as a space for cultural exchange and artistic solidarity.



The festival comes at a time when Nepal’s theatre scene is gaining international recognition, with events like NITFest contributing to the country’s growing reputation as a hub for performing arts. Theatre enthusiasts, artists, and scholars from around the world are expected to participate in the week-long event.

Nepal International Theatre Festival 2025 to begin from March 19

Kathmandu: The Central Film Censorship Board has denied screening permission for 'Rajagunj', a Nepali film that has already been showcased at international festivals, citing its inclusion of a speech by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.



The board objected to a 2015 public speech in which Oli compared political parties leaving the Constituent Assembly to “mangoes falling from a tree.” The footage, originally published by Onlinekhabar, is used in the film directed by Deepak Rauniyar. The board has asked for proof of permission from the former prime minister to use the clip, despite Rauniyar arguing that it falls under public domain content.



Board member Rishiraj Acharya stated that the film must comply with the board’s directives. Discussions are ongoing to resolve the issue.



'Rajagunj' premiered at the Venice Film Festival, earning a ten-minute standing ovation. Set in the Madhes region, the film follows a police operation to rescue kidnapped children, featuring Asha Magrati, Dayahang Rai, Bijay Baral, and Nikita Chandak. It is scheduled for release in Nepal on March 15.

Censorship board blocks Nepali film 'Rajagunj' over PM’s speech

Kathmandu: Independent film Anora, a dark comedy about a sex worker’s tumultuous marriage to the son of a Russian oligarch, emerged as the biggest winner at the Oscars on Sunday, claiming five awards, including Best Picture.



Directed by Sean Baker, the film also secured awards for Best Director, Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actress for 25-year-old Mikey Madison.



Her win came as a surprise, as many had predicted veteran actress Demi Moore would take home Best Actress for her role in the body-horror film The Substance.



Director Sean Baker, in one of his four acceptance speeches, took the opportunity to advocate for independent cinema, urging greater support for smaller-budget films.

Low budget ‘Anora’ triumphs at Oscars with Five Awards

Kathmandu: Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan has been hospitalized with multiple stab injuries following an attack by an intruder at his Mumbai residence early Thursday morning.



The incident occurred in an upscale neighborhood where Khan resides with his family. According to Mumbai police, the actor was injured during a scuffle with an unidentified man who reportedly entered his house after midnight.



Khan is currently undergoing surgery at Lilavati Hospital. Niraj Uttamani, the hospital’s chief operating officer, revealed that Khan sustained six stab wounds, two of which were deep, including one near his spine. A team of specialist doctors is attending to him.



While the actor’s family has not made any public statements, his publicity team has referred to the incident as an "attempted burglary" but refrained from providing additional details.



Mumbai’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dixit Gedam, confirmed that an argument erupted between Khan and the intruder, leading to the attack. The police have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the suspect.



In a statement issued on Thursday morning, Khan’s team requested privacy and patience from fans and the media.



“We request the media and fans to be patient. It is a police matter. We will keep you updated on the situation,” the statement read.



Source: BBC

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan hospitalized after stabbing incident

Kathmadu: Nepal will host the first-ever China Film Day on January 9, 2025, in an effort to enhance cultural relations between Nepal and China. The event, aimed at fostering collaboration in cinematic and cultural exchange, will take place at Chhaya Centre in Thamel, Kathmandu.



The China Film Day is being jointly organized by the China Film Administration, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, the China Film Archive, and the Nepal Film and Cultural Academy (NFCA). The event will feature screenings of three acclaimed Chinese films, offering audiences a unique glimpse into Chinese cinema.



Following the screenings, there will be an interactive session with filmmakers, providing a valuable opportunity for dialogue and cultural exchange between the two nations. Organizers hope the event will serve as a bridge to further strengthen ties through storytelling and film production, contributing to broader Nepal-China cooperation in the arts.

China Film Day to be held in Kathmandu

Kathmandu: Selena Gomez has announced her engagement to songwriter Benny Blanco, sharing the exciting news on Instagram with a picture of her sparkling engagement ring. The actress and singer captioned the post, "forever begins now," confirming her commitment to Blanco, with whom she has been in a relationship since last year.



The couple, known for collaborating on hits like I Can't Get Enough (2019) and Single Soon (2023), received an outpouring of congratulations from famous friends. Among those celebrating the news were pop star Taylor Swift, who commented, "Yes I will be the flower girl," and rapper Cardi B, as well as actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, and singer Lil Nas X.



In an Instagram Story shared with her 423 million followers, Gomez also posted a video revealing her engagement ring to loved ones, prompting joyous reactions on the other end of the phone.



Blanco, who has worked with artists like Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Calvin Harris, previously spoke of his admiration for Gomez on The Drew Barrymore Show. "She's one of the sweetest, most charming, and humble people I've ever met," he said, describing their relationship as "completely real."



Gomez, who recently joined the billionaire ranks with a $1.3 billion fortune, is also celebrating career successes, including two Golden Globe nominations this week. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez and Best Actress in a TV Series for Only Murders in the Building.



Source: BBC

Selena Gomez engaged to songwriter Benny Blanco

Kathmandu: Pranaya Shakya and his company, Kaleidoscope Production, were honored with the prestigious 2024 Freedom Filmmaker Recognition at the closing ceremony of the Queer Film Festival Kathmandu (QFK). Kaleidoscope Production, Nepal's only LGBTQIA+ led visual media production firm, was celebrated for its significant contribution to diverse cinema practices in Nepal and South Asia.



The Freedom Filmmaker Recognition, institutionalized by Docskool in 2018, is awarded to individuals and collectives who make remarkable strides in promoting diverse cinematic voices. The award features Docskool’s mascot, a human figure in agony, symbolizing the perseverance of filmmakers who continue to create freely despite challenges from both state and non-state actors. It serves as a tribute to the resilience of filmmakers who defy restrictions in their pursuit of artistic expression.



The recognition was presented on December 9th during the closing ceremony of QFK, Nepal’s first Queer Film Festival, held from December 6th to 9th. This year’s festival, hosted at multiple venues including Yalamaya Kendra and Docskool, alongside satellite locations such as Pink Tiffany Restaurant, Roxy, Smog Restaurant, and Hard Rock Café Kathmandu, attracted over 2,000 visitors. The festival showcased 51 films, including feature films, documentaries, and short fiction, exploring themes of queer identity.



The closing ceremony also featured the final screening of Fadia’s Tree, a poignant film marking the culmination of this year’s festival.



Docskool, the organizer of both the Freedom Filmmaker Recognition and the Queer Film Festival Kathmandu, is a filmmaker’s network established in 2008. The organization supports emerging filmmakers through alternative mechanisms and creative initiatives, helping to foster a more inclusive and diverse film culture in Nepal and beyond.

Pranaya Shakya and Kaleidoscope Production receive 2024 Freedom Filmmaker recognition

Kathmandu: The 12th edition of the Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival opened today, featuring a diverse lineup of 53 films from 23 countries. The festival, which aims to raise awareness and promote human rights, also includes side events such as seminars and interactive sessions. This year’s theme, ‘Social Justice,’ highlights global efforts to address inequality and injustice.



Pandav Khatri, President of the Human Rights International Film Centre and Festival Director, spoke at the opening, emphasizing the festival’s role in showcasing films that address human rights issues. "We have been regularly organizing this festival to promote and screen human rights-related films," Khatri said.



Among the films featured are ‘All We Imagine As Light,’ ‘The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent,’ ‘The Outrun,’ and ‘Anaar Daana,’ all of which have received recognition at renowned film festivals such as Cannes and Berlin.



A key highlight of this year's festival is ‘Devi,’ a documentary by Nepali filmmaker and journalist Subina Shrestha. The film tells the powerful story of Devi, a rebel warrior and survivor of sexual violence during Nepal's civil war, who continues to fight for justice. ‘Devi’ has garnered significant international recognition, including an Honourable Mention in the Best Social Impact Documentary category at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and the Edge of Impact Award at the Documentary Edge Festival. It was also featured at the Alternativa Film Festival 2024 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.



The four-day festival is expected to attract a wide range of stakeholders from the film industries of Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. Screenings and side events are being held at the Film Development Board’s meeting hall and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) auditorium hall.



This year’s event offers a platform to discuss pressing human rights issues and celebrates the power of film in fostering social change and justice.

12th Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival kicks off

Kathmandu: A recent study has revealed that nearly half of women working in Nepal's entertainment industry have experienced some form of workplace harassment. The study, conducted by the Shakti Group in the cities of Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Itahari, found that 46% of female workers reported facing harassment at their workplaces. Among them, 30% reported experiencing sexual violence.



The study, which involved 507 participants from these three cities, found that Pokhara had the highest percentage of workers reporting harassment, with 69% of respondents in the city claiming they had faced abuse. In Kathmandu, 45% of workers reported similar issues, while 23% of workers in Itahari said they had been subjected to workplace harassment.



The report also highlighted that workers in specific sectors of the entertainment industry were more likely to face harassment. Among respondents, 73% of dancers, 51% of dohori (traditional Nepali music) singers, 34% of massage parlour workers, 30% of cabin workers, and 30% of snack shop workers reported experiencing harassment.



The study indicated that harassment in the entertainment sector comes from various sources, including customers, employers, colleagues, police officers, community members, and even intimate partners such as husbands, boyfriends, and friends. Additionally, the report revealed that only 6% of workers in the sector had a written contract for their employment.



The findings suggest that the entertainment industry in Nepal does not meet the international labor standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO), particularly in terms of fair and safe working conditions. The report points out that the lack of enforcement of labor laws has left many workers vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.



Overall, the study underscores the pressing need for improved labor protections and enforcement of laws to safeguard workers in Nepal's entertainment sector.



Source: Rashtriya Samachar Samiti

Study reveals widespread workplace harassment in Nepal's entertainment sector

Kathmandu: The Film Development Board has officially published a list of 158 operational movie theaters across the country, urging film distributors to ensure that only these licensed theaters are provided with films for screening.



In a formal notice issued today, the board confirmed that the licenses for these public movie theaters have been recently renewed. The announcement outlines the distribution of movie theaters across various provinces:



Bagmati Province leads with 67 movie theaters, Koshi Province follows with 26, Madhesh Province has 24, Gandaki Province is home to 14 theaters, Lumbini Province has 24, Karnali Province operates 2, and Sudurpaschim Province has 1. The board has also clarified that the number of operational theaters could fluctuate in the future, with the possibility of new theaters opening or existing ones ceasing operations.



This move is part of the Film Development Board's ongoing efforts to regulate and streamline the movie exhibition industry in Nepal.

FDB announces official list of operational movie theaters across Nepal

Kathmandu: The National Film Awards 2024 were presented in a ceremony at the President's Residence, Sheetal Niwas, on Wednesday. President Ram Chandra Paudel honored filmmakers and artists for their outstanding contributions to Nepali cinema.



The film Bulaki was awarded Best Film, while Nischal Basnet won Best Director for Dimaag Kharab. Bipin Karki received Best Actor for Prasad 2, and Swastima Khadka was named Best Actress for her role in Dimaag Kharab.



Other awardees included Raj Bahadur Sane (Best Screenplay and Dialogue) and Shiv Dhakal (Best Cinematographer), both for Bulaki, and Mitra D. Gurung, who received Best Editor for Mahajatra.



Jari was recognized as the Best Commercially Successful Film, and Swastima Khadka also won the Jury Encouragement Award for her performance in Tulki.

Bulaki receives Best Film Award 2024

Kathmandu: In a recent statement, the Department of Commerce Supplies and Consumer Protection (DoCSCP) has emphasized that food and beverages sold in theatres must not exceed the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) indicated on their labels.



This directive applies to all sealed food and beverage packets, including bottled drinks such as water and juice.



The DoCSCP has warned that any violation of this pricing regulation could result in legal action under existing laws. Consumers are encouraged to report instances of overcharging to ensure compliance and protect their rights.

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