कर्णाली कल्चरल इन्टरनेशनल फिल्म फेस्टिवल ()

Festival Start: 20 Februar 2025      Festival Ende: 05 Juni 2025

Karnali cultural International Film Festival 3rd Edition (2025)

Welcome to the annual Karnali cultural International Film Festival, a grand celebration of cinematic storytelling that transcends borders and brings diverse cultural narratives to the global stage. Established in 2021 by Achyut Bajagain, Founder of Golden Horse Films Pvt. Ltd., the festival has quickly become one of Nepal's most significant cinematic events, offering a vibrant platform for filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts alike.

This year, the festival will feature a grand inaugural ceremony, a prestigious closing award ceremony, and a lineup of engaging panel discussions, insightful masterclasses, and screenings of top-nominated national and international films. The festival showcases a wide range of cinematic works, including feature films, human rights films, short films, documentaries, women-focused films, children's films, and environmental films.

Awards & Prizes

1. Competitive Categories

These categories typically offer awards and prizes:

• Best Feature Film (National)

• Best Documentary (International/National)

• Best Short Film (Live Action, Documentary, Animated)

• Best Experimental Film

• Best Student Film

• Best Screenplay


2. Non-Competitive Categories

These films are showcased but are not judged for awards:

• Out of Competition (Special Screenings)

• Retrospectives (Showcasing works of legendary filmmakers)

• Tributes/Homages (Dedicated to an artist or filmmaker)

• Restored Classics (Old films restored for modern screenings)

3. Genre-Specific Categories

• Drama Feature/Short

• Comedy Feature/Short

• Horror & Thriller

• Science Fiction & Fantasy

• LGBTQ+ Cinema

• Human Rights & Social Justice Films

• Environmental Films

4. Regional & Cultural Categories

• World Cinema (International Selection)

• Asian Cinema / African Cinema / Latin American Cinema

• Indigenous Films

• Nepali Panorama (or any national selection for
a specific country)

5. Special Focus Sections

• Women in Film (Films directed by or centered on women)

• Children’s Films

• Films by Young Directors

• Films on Disability & Inclusion

6. Industry & Technical Awards

• Best Cinematography

• Best Editing

• Best Sound Design

7. Audience & Critics Awards

• Audience Choice Award

• Critics’ Award

• Jury Special Mention

Honorary & Audience Awards

• Lifetime Achievement Award

• Outstanding Contribution to Cinema

• Audience Choice Award

Awards for All Categories:

• Trophy

• Certificate of Achievement

• Cash Prize

Rules & Terms

3.KARNALI cultural International FILMS FESTIVAL 2025: RULES AND TERMS

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

1. Time/Duration Restrictions:

• Narrative Feature: Between 60 and 120 minutes*

• Narrative Shorts: Under 30 minutes

• Documentaries: Under 90 minutes *No runtime restrictions for national productions (feature)

2. Film Qualification:

• Films completed after 1st May 2025 will not qualify.

• Films previously screened at Karnali Films Festival will not qualify.

3. Language Requirement:

• All submissions Films and documentary must have English subtitles.

4. Video and Audio Format:

• Video Container: MP4, MOV (for submission, preview), DCP for festival screening

• Resolution: 1920 X 1080 or higher

• Video Codec: h.264, PRORES

• Audio: 2.0 Stereo, 5.1 surround *Audio/Video formats for festival screening will be communicated post selection



FESTIVAL RULES:

Before Submitting:

1. Submission Process:

• Films must add here (goldenhorsefilms2@gmail.com) to eligibility requirements.

• Films must be submitted through an online platform, with clear guidelines on formats and deadlines.

• All submissions via Festhome.

• Submission fees must be paid to complete the process.

2. Submission Deadline:

• Submissions must be made before the extended (final) deadline .

After Submitting:

1. Selection Process:

• Selection committee and programmers hold full jurisdiction.

• Finalists/selected films published on 5th may 2025.

2. Film Materials:

• Missing materials/information requested after selection must be submitted before Dedline.

3. Delivery of Information:

• Selected films must deliver a full press kit and a DCP screener to Goldenhorsefilms2@gmail.com before 15th may 2025

4. Usage of Films:

• Films will be archived securely and used only for the festival.

• Provided film info/materials may be used for promotional works during Karnali Films Festival 2025

5. Screening Locations:

• Selected films will be screened to live audiences in Kathmandu Valley.

• Films may be screened at more than one venue during the festival.

6. Screening Fees:

• GHI Films Festival has no policy to pay screening fees for selected films.

7. Agreement:

• By submitting films, applicants agree to all rules and criteria and agree to remain bound.
Note: The terms and conditions are subject to change, and any amendments will be communicated to the applicants in due course.