The Karnali International Film Festival (KIFF) 2025 offers diverse categories that cater to a broad range of cinematic styles and narratives, ensuring inclusivity and recognition for both established and emerging filmmakers. These categories reflect the festival’s core objectives of cultural preservation, storytelling excellence, and environmental advocacy.
Feature Films
Narrative Feature:
Fictional feature-length films with strong storytelling, artistic direction, and cinematic appeal.
Emphasis on engaging narratives that resonate with global and local audiences.
Documentary Feature:
Non-fictional films that explore real-world topics, including social, cultural, and environmental themes.
Focus on impactful storytelling that raises awareness and provokes thought.
Short Films
Narrative Short:
Fictional stories with a runtime under 40 minutes.
Designed to captivate audiences through concise and creative storytelling.
Documentary Short:
Non-fiction films under 40 minutes, focusing on impactful storytelling about real-world issues.
Highlight topics ranging from human rights to cultural preservation.
Experimental Short:
Films exploring unconventional narratives, techniques, or styles. Encourages innovation and artistic experimentation in cinema.
Special Categories
Karnali Lens:
Films specifically highlighting the culture, environment, or stories of the Karnali region. Encourages local filmmakers to showcase their heritage while inviting global perspectives on the region.
Climate Cinema:
Films addressing climate change, sustainability, and environmental challenges. Promotes cinema as a tool for environmental advocacy and education.
Focus Section (Optional)
A rotating theme designed to spotlight unique perspectives and underrepresented voices. Examples include: Women in Film: Films by and about women. LGBTQ+ Stories: Narratives celebrating diversity and inclusivity.
Debut Filmmakers: Acknowledging exceptional work by first-time directors.
This wide array of categories ensures that KIFF 2025 remains inclusive while celebrating cinematic excellence, innovation, and meaningful storytelling.
Awards 10
The Karnali International Film Festival (KIFF) 2025 will honor cinematic excellence, cultural preservation, and environmental advocacy through its diverse award categories. These awards recognize both creative and technical achievements, ensuring the festival’s mission is upheld and
celebrated.
Best Feature Film
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Best Documentary Feature
Awarded to the best non-fiction feature that explores meaningful and impactful themes.
Best Narrative Short
Honoring the best fictional short film with exceptional storytelling and artistic direction.
Best Documentary Short
Recognizing the most impactful non-fiction short film.
Karnali Visionary Award
Presented to the best film in the Karnali Lens category that highlights the region’s culture,
stories, or environment.
Climate Champion Award
Awarded to the best film in the Climate Cinema category for addressing environmental issues
with innovation and impact.
Local Government | National Organization
Awarded to the local governments, national organizations, or institutions that demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation, transparency, and effectiveness in governance. This award honors initiatives that have significantly improved public administration, service delivery, policy implementation, and community welfare.
Vloggers / Podcast
A vlogger (video blogger) is a content creator who produces and shares video-based content, typically documenting personal experiences, opinions, tutorials, or storytelling. Vlogs (video blogs) are commonly uploaded on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, often featuring direct engagement with the audience.
Emerging Filmmaker Award
Recognizes outstanding work by a debut filmmaker, encouraging new talent in the industry.