By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Mar. 31: The fifth edition of the Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) began on Thursday with the slogan ‘Festival of World Stories’.

Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Bidya Sundar Shakya presided over the festival.

Speaking at the programme, Mayor Shakya said that the Nepali film industry and tourism industry have been badly affected by the COVID -19 pandemic and these industries have been completely shut down for the last two years. He expressed the view that film festivals like NIFF would help bring the film industry back to normalcy.

Likewise, Chairman of the Film Development Board (FDB), Dayaram Dahal, said that FDB is always ready to revive the Nepali film industry and encourage filmmakers to make good films.

European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nepal Nona Deprez said culture was very important for the EU and film was an excellent medium for cultural exchange. Culture opens the door to creative thinking, and the film festival will help exchange cultural diversity around the world, she added.

The festival, which began on March 31 will be held till April 4 at the National Assembly Hall and the auditorium of the Nepal Tourism Board.

The festival is organised with the objective of introducing Nepali films and filmmakers to the international arena and spreading Nepali art, culture and tourism all over the world through films.

According to the organisers, there will be a competition of 89 films from 38 countries.

Out of 500 films from 55 countries, 89 films have been selected for screening, according to the organisers.

Last year, the 4th Nepal International Film Festival was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the inaugural of the NIFF, a documentary- Goru Parwa- about the ox fight at Taruka of Nuwakot district written and directed by Puru Lamsal was screened at the Rashtriya Sabha Griha hall.