People from various social organisations participating in a rally marking the World TB Day at Maitighar, Kathmandu on Saturday, Mar 24 07. Jiri film festival.

Preparations for the two-day film festival in the eastern town of Jiri showcasing some of the finest works in Nepali filmmaking is in the final stages. The film festival is to be held at the Jiri Technical School premises on March 30 and 31.

Out of the 20 films selected for the festival – 18 will be screened during daytime in an indoor setting while two others will be screened under open sky in the evening. This is the first open air film screening festival organised in Nepal.

The festival aims to reintroducing the once famous Gateway to Everest – Jiri.

“Going beyond the name, the festival will be a multi activity one. In addition to films, local products will be displayed and interactions on journalism and filmmaking will be held for local youths,” a statement reads. The statement quoted Kiran Shrestha of nepa~laya as saying that a team of more than 50 will be visiting Jiri for the Festival. It includes filmmakers, journalists and enthusiasts.

The visiting team will also go for short hiking around Jiri.

“The festival is special for us here – not only in Jiri but entire Dolakha. Practically everyone in Jiri has got together in contributing from their capacities to making this festival a success.” says Rajendra Manandhar – the spokesperson of the Local Organising Committee.

Managed and coordinated by nepa~laya, this 2 day festival is owned locally by Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) Dolakha, Jiri VDC, Dolakha Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Jiri Higher Secondary School and Dhungeswari Lower Secondary School .