KIMFF 2019
The 17th iteration of Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) next week will not just have documentaries and experimental films, but also movies from all over the world dealing with mountains.
The festival coincides this year with mountain-related events and anniversaries including the centenary of Edmund Hillary and 60 years of Swiss cooperation in Nepal.
This year too, the festival has an international competition, a non-competitive section, and a Nepal Panorama portion with more than 70 films including a wide range of genres.
The international competition has films about mountain communities in Asia, Europe, and the America. Quite a few films are about adventure, climbing, trekking, paragliding, and other mountain sports like rafting and canyoning.
Many of the entries examine the impact of modernity, big business, and migration on traditional lifestyles. Ethnographic portrayals from communities as far apart as Bosnia and Mustang take a close look at mountain communities.
"Filmmakers have worked on a variety of subjects. Development, gender, geography, and culture are recurrent themes," says festival coordinator Ramyata Limbu. "Together, the films show how difficult life on mountains is all over the world, and how the traditional way of life is disappearing everywhere."
In Nepal, the filmmakers seem interested in how the mountain terrain is connected with society. Many filmmakers have portrayed migration, economy, and the hardships of mountain lifestyle. Social struggles and changes are also in focus, with films on Kamlari women, patriarchy, and childbirth.
Another popular theme is love and relationships, with films on polyandry, teenage relationships, and infertility.
Some highlights of the Festival
Edmund Hilary's Centenary
The first man on Everest would have been 100 this year, and this is an important year for mountaineering. KIMFF brings together diverse films about the Kiwi mountaineer, opening with The Ascent of Everest. Directed by Antonello Padovano, the film has a voiceover by Hilary himself, as he relives and recounts key moments of the journey. Ocean to Sky, a film by Michael Dillon, reminds us that though Hillary was known for his Everest adventure, that was not the only thing he did. Dillon's film takes us into other adventures with Hillary.
60 years of Swiss Cooperation in Nepal
Being another landlocked mountainous country Switzerland has always tried to make Nepal in its image. This year marks 60 years of Swiss diplomatic presence in Nepal, and KIMFF will focus on classic films from Switzerland. A re-adaptation of Heidi, a classic novel about a young girl who lives with her goat herding grandfather, will have a special screening. Together with Der Wildheuer, the films show a lifestyle similar to Nepal in Switzerland of yore.
Paribartit Nepal
Every year KIMFF holds a short film competition for films under 3 minutes. This year, the theme Paribartit Nepal (changed Nepal) focuses on the transformation Nepal has gone through in recent times: from political changes like the constitution to natural ones like the earthquake. The theme has received submissions in a wide variety of subjects, and promises to be an interesting rewind of Nepal's recent history.
Climate is key
Many films in KIMFF Are about the climate crisis. In Malaysia, excessive use of pesticides by farmers pollutes the Cloud Forest in Cameron Highlands and commercial expansion damages its ecological structure (Cloud Kingdom). In Iran, traditional farmers struggle to save their farm from newcomers and big businesses (The beginning of desert). In Patagonia, a herder finds his way of life under threat and embarks upon a challenging journey (Crianceros del viento). Nepali films are about how the changing climate force young people to migrate out of their mountain homes.
Master classes
This year KIMFF has several free master classes by renowned artists.
- Ang Tsherin Sherpa
Thangka turned contemporary artist Ang Tsherin will be giving a class on the transformation from traditional to contemporary art. Sherpa, who studied Tibetan thangka with his father Master Urgen Dorje, later went to the US and started integrating modern elements into his work. His paintings with which portray disconnect between traditional and modern ways have been exhibited at many world-class art museums.
12PM, 13 Dec
- Michael Dillon
Famous adventure filmmaker Michael Dillon will hold a master class on filmmaking. The pioneering artist has over 50 years of experience in adventure filmmaking, and has filmed spectacular destinations including the Himalayas, Andes, Antarctica, the Arctic, the Pacific and Africa. Dillon will share tips on not just filmmaking but also what equipment and attitudes to take along at adventurous destinations.
1130 AM, 15 Dec
Presentations and Panel discussions
KIMFF features several discussions on topics related to mountains.
- Snow leopards
In this interactive session individuals who have worked to conserve snow leopards will share their experiences. It also includes songs about snow leopards, and will interest nature and wildlife enthusiasts.
2 PM, 11 Dec
- Rewriting her story
Plan International's global campaign Girls Get Equal kicks off its Nepal iteration at KIMFF. The discussion will focus on issues like girls' freedom of speech including online, discrimination, and damaging gender stereotyping in media, aiming at truthful representation of girls and boys in media.
130 PM, 12 Dec
17th Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival
11-15 December
City Hall and Nepal Tourism Board
KIMFF 2019 Schedule
Find more information here.