The 8th Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) began yesterday in Kathmandu. Organized by the Himal Association, the festival will run till 13th december 2010. Movies will be screened at the Rastriya Sabhagriha and NTB‘s auditorium.

During the festival, a total of 62 films from 35 countries will be shown. The films to be showcased deals with issues as diverse as environment, conflict, globalization, wildlife, lifestyle, culture, climbing, gender and development. 20 films will be screened in the international competition category, 36 in the international non-competitive category, and six films in Nepal Panorama category. The three best entries in the international competitive category will recieve cash prizes of $1,500, $1,000 and $500. A three-member jury comprising British climber and author Terry Gifford, Chinese filmmaker Li Wenming and British climber David Durkan will be selecting the winners. A photo exhibition “Manang: 30 Years After” by Czech photographers Michal Thoma and Zdenek Thoma and slide presentation/lecture, film-making workshop, animation workshop and alternative book exhibition will also be held during the event.