KIMFF 2014 will open with Bhojraj Bhatt’s much anticipated debut documentary film ‘Sunakali’, about the formation of a young women’s football team in Nepal’s remote Mugu district. Eighty films from 20 countries will be screened back-to-back from 11 – 15 December at Kumari Hall and the Russian Cultural Centre in Kamal Pokhari.

According to a press release KIMFF 2014, this year’s feast of films will include documentaries, fiction, shorts, experimental films and animation. KIMFF 2014 seeks to explore the role of youth in society as well as engage them - both in filmmaking and film appreciation.

This year WWF-Nepal and KIMFF will present ‘The Generation Green’ a short film competition while KIMFF’s Nepal Panorama will once again showcase exciting films by emerging local talent.

In the presence of filmmakers, film enthusiasts, critics, scholars, journalists, artists and mountaineers, the Festival will include discussion forums, guest lectures, exhibitions of books and photos and installation art projects.

This year KIMFF is honored to host the general assembly meeting of International Alliance for Mountain Films(IAMF), where representatives from member countries will meet. The IAMF has headquarters in Turin, Italy and KIMFF obtained its membership in 2008. IAMF President Joan Salarich will open the festival.

KIMFF 2014 jury members include British photographer Henry Iddon, US mountaineer and filmmaker David Breashears (IMAX Everest) and Italian filmmaker Paola Nessi. They will decide the top three films in the international competition (10 shortlisted) and the top documentary film and fiction film in the Nepal Panorama selection (14 films shortlisted).

The top three prizes are US$ 1500, $1000, $500 for the international competition sponsored by NMA, TAAN and Thamserku Trekking respectively while Nepal Film Development Board and Thames International College willrespectively sponsor cash prizes of Rs. 50,000/- each for best fiction film and non-fiction category in Nepal Panorama. In addition, the top film from an ICIMOD member country, will receive The Best ICIMOD Mountain Film award of US $1000.

This year’s special events include the popular quiz ‘Know Your Himal’ hosted by Nepali Times Editor Kunda Dixit, a photo exhibition and presentation by Henry Iddon who will share with audiences how he turned photography as a hobby into a profession, an illustrated talk by Himalayan Rescue Association Medical Director Dr. Buddha Basnyat about high altitude issues likely to affect thousands of pilgrims visiting religious places in the high mountains every year. Italian filmmaker and camerawoman Paola Nessi will share her experiences working in conflict and challenging situations globally. Paola’s documentary ‘W di Walter’ about prominent Italian climber Walter Bonatti will also screen at KIMFF.

Dave Durkin, a mountaineer from Norway with wide experience on Nepal Himalaya will discuss his book ‘Penguins on Everest’ with a critical focus on current issues pertaining to mountaineering in Nepal while film critic Yangesh will moderate a panel discussion on the co-relation between literature and cinema. Panelists are actor and playwright KhagendraLamicchane, novelist Nayan Raj Pandey, and film director Yadav Kumar Bhattarai. KIMFF 2014 will feature a photo exhibition of “Hill People” by Henry Iddon and an exhibition of photos by ICIMOD.

KIMFF 2014 is supported by SD Rubin Foundation, WWF Nepal, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), the US Embassy, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) and promoted by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Hotel Tibet is KIMFF’s official hospitality partner.