WINNERS at Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) 2026!

April 6, 2026

On the occasion of the closing ceremony of the 9th Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) 2026, held at QFX Civil Mall, Sundhara, Kathmandu, in the presence of national and international filmmakers, dignitaries, and guests, the festival proudly announced its lineup of 18 award winners. This year’s edition, themed “Future Forward: Rooted in Memory, Moving Forward”, showcased 88 films from 40 countries across five days of screenings and discussions.

For the full list of award winners at NIFF 2026, please see below:

FEATURE FILM AWARDS

Gautama Buddha Award – Best Feature Film (International Competition)
Pooja, Sir
Directed by Deepak Rauniyar – Nepal

Best South Asian Feature Film Award
Jaar
Directed by Phurba Tshering Lama – Nepal & India

IFFS Don Quixote Award – Best Feature Film (International Competition)
My Daughter’s Hair
Directed by Hesam Farahmand – Iran

Best National Feature Film Award
Gunyo Cholo (The Dress)
Directed by Samundra Bhatta – Nepal

Best Director (National Competition)
Samundra Bhatta – Gunyo Cholo (The Dress)

Best Actor (Male, National Competition)
Najir Husen – Gunyo Cholo (The Dress)

Best Actor (Female, National Competition)
Surakshya Panta – Koshedhunga

Best Screenwriter (National Competition)
Deependra Gauchan – Missing: Girl Lost Notice

Best Cinematographer (National Competition)
Babu Shrestha – Koshedhunga

SHORT & DOCUMENTARY AWARDS

Mt. Everest Award – Best Documentary Film (International Competition)
The Ground Beneath Our Feet
Directed by Yrsa Roca Fannberg – Iceland & Poland

Bagmati Award – Best Live Action Short Film (International Competition)
Sheep
Directed by Hadi Babaeifar – Iran

Manjushree Award – Best AI-themed Short Film
Spirit of the Mountain
Directed by Pang Jia – China

Best Student Film Award
Passarinho
Directed by Natalia Gracia Agraz – Mexico

Best National Documentary Award
Home is Not a Place
Directed by Lhakpa Choedon Lama – Nepal

Best National Short Film Award
Rihana
Directed by Suraj Paudel – Nepal

SPECIAL JURY MENTIONS

National Documentaries
As Day Goes By
Directed by Ngima Gelu Sherpa – Nepal

International Shorts
Housekeeper
Directed by Surya Balakrishna – India

International Feature Films
The Shore of Life
Directed by Chi Zhang – China

The 9th NIFF concluded with a vibrant celebration of cinema, honoring diverse voices and artistic excellence across genres. The festival reaffirmed its mission to connect local and global filmmakers, celebrate cultural exchange, and inspire audiences through the power of storytelling.