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.