Kathmandu, December 23. The 4th Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF) is scheduled to be held on 6-10 May 2021. Earlier the festival was to be held on 24 February- March 3. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been postponed further to a later date.

According to KP Pathak, chairman of the organizing body, more than 400 films from 52 countries have applied for participation in the application period from July 1 to November 30, 2020. The list of selected films received will be made public on February 20, 2021.

The festival, which started with the slogan ‘Storytelling Festival of World Stories’ with the objective of developing ‘film culture’, added a genre of films on pandemics this year. A category named ‘Best Pandemic Film’ has been added where the winning film will receive a cash prize of US$500, said Chairman Pathak.

The best feature film in the international category will be awarded the Gautam Buddha Award  bearing US$ 1,500. Similarly, Mount Everest Award of US$ 1,000 has been announced for the best documentary, Manjushree Award of US$ 750 for the best animated film and Bagmati Award of US$ 500 for the best short film will be given.

In addition, in Nepali category, NRs. 100 thousand cash will be given to the best feature film. Apart from this, trophies will also be given to the best directors, writers, cinematographers, actors and actresses in the feature film genre.