Leh, Sept. 29: The first edition of the five-day ‘The Himalayan Film Festival 2021’ successfully concluded today at Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra, Leh, Ladakh. In the concluding session, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur, was the chief guest for the occasion whereas Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India (GoI), Apurva Chandra, and renowned Filmmaker Rakyesh Ompraksah Mehra were the special guests. The festival concluded with the screening of the internationally acclaimed film ‘Shepherdess of the Glaciers’ by renowned Ladakhi filmmaker Stanzin Dorjai.

Speaking at the closing function, LG Mathur expressed happiness about the success of the festival and said that the Himalayan Film Festival should continue as an annual event and be a platform to showcase talent of the Himalayan region. He said that for better training of Ladakh’s film aspirants, the administration is working towards tying up with Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune for providing courses in Ladakh. “In addition to creativity, technology has an important role to play in contemporary film industry and one must become a professional,” stated LG Mathur. While commending the youth of Ladakh for their talent and creativity, LG Mathur asserted that the youth must aim to win the world on their own terms and rooted in their own culture. Expressing his fondness for the Ladakhi folktale Gyalam-Kesar, LG Mathur hoped to watch it in the form of a motion picture someday.

Addressing the gathering, Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson expressed hope to see local filmmakers making it big in Bollywood. He also urged the veteran filmmakers from Ladakh to encourage budding and aspiring filmmakers to explore the film industry with their talent and fulfil their potential.

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Secretary, I&B, GoI, Apurva Chandra, appreciated the maiden attempt by the Administration of Ladakh in successfully conducting the first edition of The Himalayan Film Festival and suggested taking up the idea of organising a national level festival on short films to encourage aspiring filmmakers from smaller regions like Ladakh. He requested the Ladakh Administration to draft a film policy and provide incentives to the filmmakers to shoot in Ladakh. He assured all possible support to the filmmakers of Ladakh from the MIB.

Renowned filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra suggested making the Himalayan Film Festival, the international Himalayan Film Festival in future. He proposed to invite interns from Ladakh to his production house and also said that he is willing to spend a month in Ladakh each year to impart skill training to aspiring filmmakers.

Secretary Information, Ladakh, Padma Angmo, who presented the vote of thanks, appreciated the contribution of all the stakeholders involved in the festival. Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, welcomed the guest.

Advisor to the Hon’ble Lt Governor of Ladakh, Umang Narula; award winners from all the Himalayan states, district officials/officers and filmmakers from Leh and Kargil districts were present during the event.

The winner of the competition section, including two Ladakhi filmmakers, Stenzin Tankong and Stanzin Gurmet who won the best story and best editing award for Sekool and Shadey: A Forgotten Land, respectively, were felicitated. Four award-winning entries were screened in the closing session.

A cultural programme was also held on the closing day.

Earlier in the day, an ‘In-conversation Session’ with Bollywood actor Kirti Kulhari was one of the highlights of the concluding day of the Festival. Five films from local filmmakers received in the competition section were also screened.

The festival that was spread over 5 days from 24-28^th September received 100 entries from Himalayan states/UTs. A total of 26 films were screened and 18 entry films recommended by the jury were also screened. Similarly, a total of 21 films made by Ladakhi filmmakers received in the competition section were also screened in Picture Time. The festival held Master Class sessions with Priya Krishnaswamy, S. Nallamuthu, Nila Madhab Panda, Phontsog Ladakhi and In-Conversation sessions with Anupama Chopra, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Nikhil Talegaonkar and Kirti Kulhari.

The festival also held musical shows on the evening of 25^th, 26^th and 27^th September besides having food stalls and exhibition stalls for handicrafts.

The event organised as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration was organised by UT Administration Ladakh in collaboration with the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, GoI. The five-day event was hosted in collaboration with LAHDC Leh.