Kathmandu. On the second day of the Kathmandu Mountain Film Festival (KIMF), a special discussion was organized along with the screening of films by women directors on Thursday.
A special session titled ‘Women Behind the Camera’ has been organized in co-organization of the US Embassy. In that session, Embassy spokesperson Zehra Naqvi praised Nepali women filmmakers.
She said – Today we are celebrating women’s participation and experience on camera. These female filmmakers of today are a source of encouragement for future female filmmakers.’
Spokesperson Zehra also said that storytelling is a powerful medium as it presents people’s moods and passions.
Spokesperson Naqvi along with directors Akanksha Karki, Vidushi Giri, Sarita Shah and Dina Mufti participated in that session. The participants of the discussion facilitated by Pooja Pant were asked the first question – as a female filmmaker, what other things do you add to the films made by men?’
Director and actress Sarita said, ‘What I feel, what I feel, experience and feeling can miss more things than anyone else. I think I can judge the same thing more clearly. What I will add is the missing thing.’
In response to the same question, Ankaksha said – ‘I think women tell stories with more sensitivity and equanimity. If they are more honest in the process, their attitude of prioritizing small things can make the film different.’
‘For me, the point of view is important. The film Lost-in Translation and Har are films born out of the same experience. But these two films are completely different,’ said Vidushi, another director.
Another speaker, Dina, who has been making films for two decades, emphasized that even though the onscreen representation of women in the film industry is increasing, there is still a need for more female filmmakers behind the scenes.
She said more work should be done to increase the presence of technically skilled women. Actress Luniva Tuladhar asked the speaker where she sees herself in the program, which also had an interaction with the audience.
In response, Sarita said, ‘Not only for five years, but forever, I will continue to make films and bring suppressed, unheard, untold stories of women to films.’ Director Dina added to this and said, ‘From the point of view of women, their future in the film industry is positive.’
Before the discussion, Vidushi Giri’s ‘Chiso Ghar’, Sarita Sah’s ‘Threshold’ and Ankaksha Karki’s ‘Sanai’ were performed.
