KATHMANDU, April 3: Government officials and international diplomats gathered at the Russian House in Kamalpokhari on Friday to formally inaugurate ‘Russian Film Days’, a key cultural segment of the 9th Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF), aimed at strengthening bilateral ties through cinema.
The event, which began at 11:15 AM, brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Culture, the Russian Embassy, and the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the Russian Federation.
Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) releases its film line...
The opening ceremony was led by Chief Guest Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, alongside Special Guest Devendra Kumar Kafle, Member Secretary of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts. Representing the Russian Federation were Rinchin Rakshaev, Minister Counsellor and Charge d’Affaires, and Anastasia Khokhlova, Director of the Russian House and Counsellor of the Russian Embassy. Officials highlighted the historical depth of the partnership between the two nations and the role of art in fostering mutual understanding.
Festival Chair K.P. Pathak, who also chairs the Nepal Film and Cultural Academy (NFCA), delivered the welcome address, framing the showcase as a vital component of the international festival. “‘Russian Film Days’ is a very special showcase organized as part of the 9th Nepal International Film Festival 2026,” Pathak said. He emphasized cinema’s universal language, calling it a powerful tool that bridges borders and brings communities closer. He also noted that the festival coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Russia, marking a meaningful step to further strengthen ties. Pathak added that the selected films would provide Nepalese audiences with insight into Russian culture and society while fostering human connection.
The cinematic lineup features three critically acclaimed Russian productions, presented in partnership with ROSKINO and the Russian Ministry of Culture. The program opened with ‘August’, a 138-minute historical drama directed by Nikita Vysotskiy and Ilya Lebedev, depicting counterintelligence officers’ efforts to foil a sabotage plot in 1944 Belarus. It also includes ‘All Wrong Girl’, directed by Alexandra Karmaeva, following a bullied student’s struggle to reclaim her personal narrative, and concludes with ‘The Challenge’, a 164-minute drama by Klim Shipenko, exploring a surgeon’s historic mission to perform a medical procedure in zero gravity.
Organizers confirmed that all screenings at the Russian House are free and open to the public as part of efforts to promote cultural exchange. Pathak expressed gratitude to the Russian Ministry of Culture and the Russian House for their partnership, which made the accessible screenings possible.
