3rd NIFF 2020 closes with awards going to various national and international films. The closing program and the awards ceremony was attended by industry guests and delegates, including members of the NIFF 2020 juries, headed by Prakash Jha (feature segment) and Anomaa Rajakaruna (shorts and documentary segments).

Awards for the feature film programs were announced under both the international and national competition. The jury for the feature film programs, comprising of Prakash Jha (jury head, India), Yuni Hadi (Singapore), Gauri Malla (Nepal), Joao Paulo Macedo (Portugal) and Manju Kumar Shrestha (Nepal) of 5 people was unanimous in selecting the winners. Below is the full list of awards at NIFF 2020, feature film programs. 

Gautama Buddha Award for the Best International Feature Film went to

TRAP (directed by Seyid Colak, Turkey)

A strong narrative served by a poetic cinematography challenging the sensibility of the viewers

Jury’s Choice Award for the Best International Feature Film went to

THE OTHER HALF (directed by Lalith Rathnayake, Sri Lanka)

For giving us insights into a world we need to see, supported by a convincing performance and strong visual narrative

The Award for the Best National Feature Film went to

BULBUL (directed by Binod Paudel)

A Nepalese story that brings us to the Kathmandu streets reality with a social and visual construction of a coherent film.

The Jury’s Choice Award for the Best National Feature Film went to

GOPI (directed by Dipendra Lama)

Nowadays political and economic reality explored in a fluid narrative through a metaphor of a Nepali rural story

The Award for the Best Director in a Nepali feature film went to

BINOD PAUDEL, for Bulbul

For mixing directorial competency with a cinematographic language that stands out as a beginning of a new age on Nepalese cinema.

The Award for the Best Cinematographer in a Nepali feature film went to

SHAILENDRA D. KARKI, for Gopi

For building ambiances that bring the story to a new level with a beautifully elaborated visual narrative.

The Award for the Best Screenwriter in a Nepali feature film went to

BINOD PAUDEL, for Bulbul

Successful in constructing characters that come to life in a naturalistic acting and the strength of a storytelling with a personal view that stands out on the films in competition.

The Award for the Best Male Actor in a leading role went to

BIPIN KARKI, for Gopi

Bringing a real everyday man to the screen with a creative and empathic acting.

The Special Jury Mentions for a Male Actor in a Nepali feature film went to

MUKUN BHUSAL, for Bulbul

From a secondary role to a remarkable presence in the film.

The Award for the Best Actress in a Nepali feature film went to

SWASTIMA KHADKA, for Bulbul

Playing the struggle of a young woman in a challenging role that, in the end, may not be very different of the ‘real world’ created in the film, make the Jury acknowledge the courage of a talented actress.

The Special Jury Mentions for a Female Actor in a Nepali feature film went to 

LAXMI BARDEWA, for Bulbul

Shinning in a supporting role where she builds a complicity and mature relation with the character