Nepalese Film awards Night to be held during Eid al-Adha in Qatar

Qatar : The eighth edition of Nepal Film Technicians’ Association (NEFTA) Film Awards, the annual ceremony to fete deserving Nepalese films and filmmakers, is going to be held in Doha. The event is being co-ordinated by International Artists’ Forum (IAF), and will be held sometime close to Eid al-Adha festival. Organisers provided details of the upcoming event during an interaction programme held recently at Golden Fork Restaurant. IAF Chairman Bhabindra Tamang said the organisers are working overtime and are looking into all aspects for the smooth conduct of the event. According to him, NEFTA and IAF have already received prior approval from the government of Nepal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Tourism Board, Film Development Board (FDB) and the Qatar Embassy in Kathmandu. 

Qatar-based Nepalese community organisations, mediapersons, entrepreneurs and among others are promoting the event. At the recent meeting, organisers hinted that they are doing the ground work for the technical aspects associated with the stage show. Ash Bahadur Gurung, chairman of Gorkha Service Society (GSS), Bhumiraj Karki, chairman of Chitwan Youth Society (CYS) and journalist Indra Tamang suggested some key points to the organisers in order to conduct the programme more effectively, and in a more entertaining manner. IAF has also disclosed a longlist of filmmakers and films participating in the award, and will make the shortlist of nominations soon. The award ceremony will see more than 80 filmmakers in Doha during the programme.

IAF artistes will perform dance numbers during the ceremony along with actors/actresses of Nepal. Five dance sequences will be composed by Jerry Rai, one by Bhabindra Tamanga and three performances by Kiran Lama. Except for the welcome song, all performances will be carried out on Nepali film songs.
The event is expected to entertain an estimated crowd of 16,000 audience members. According to Jerry Rai, NEFTA awards will see its finest version with enhanced sound systems. The audience seats will be segregated differently for guests and VIPs. Likewise, male and female audiences will see the show in different and comfortable rows.

This year, 75 Nepalese feature films produced in 2014-2015 are competing for the awards. Top five debut actress Anna Sharma,  Shilpa Pokherl, Chadani Sharma, Akesha Bist and Asma DC are nominated. Namratha Shrestha, Priyanka Karki, Keki Adhikariand, Nandita KC are nominated for the best Nepali. film actresses. Likewise, Aryan Sigdel, Jeevan Luitel, Daya Hang Rai, Anmol and Haku Kalu are nominated for best Nepali cinema actors. The programme to announce the event was hosted by IAF secretary Win Rai and welcome speech was delivered by Vice Chairman Sarit Kumar Shrestha.