A Bangladeshi short film has won the top award in Nepal

A Bangladeshi short film, Sauda, has won the Best International Short Film Award at the sixth Nepal Cultural International Film Festival 2025, according to a press release issued on Sunday.

The festival, held in Kathmandu from January 30 to February 1, was organized by the Nepal Culture and Film Centre in partnership with the Film Development Board, Nepal. Its theme was "Sustainable Development through Film, Culture, Art, Tourism, and Creativity."

Over the course of three days, the festival showcased 98 semifinalist films selected from 204 submissions across 47 countries. These films highlighted key global issues such as human rights, social justice, environmental conservation, and cultural heritage, with a focus on how cinema can inspire positive change.

Produced by Chilekotha Production and directed by Fakir Biplob, Sauda is based on a short story by Bappy Khan, exploring how difficult circumstances can push individuals to make immoral decisions. The film features actors Shahed Ali, Shanarei Devi Shanu, Sagar Barua, Rowdro Kanan, and Ershad Ali in various roles, with Kamruzzaman Tumon as the cinematographer.

Previously, the film had its premiere at the Kolkata Ramdhanu International Film Festival 2024 and has been featured in numerous international festivals. It is also scheduled to be screened at the fifth Bogura International Film Festival on February 21.