NHRIFF 2025

Best Film International Fiction

All We Imagine As Light

Country – India

Director – Payal Kapadia

Jury Citation: 

The film is inspiring and engaging audiences internationally. With three strong women and compelling stories of how patriarchy and society create systemic oppressors for each, the film gently explores identity and human rights with a tremendous amount of restraint, humor, and candidness.

Best Film International Non-Fiction

Where we used to sleep

Country – Germany

Director – Matthaus Worle

Jury Citation: 

Where We Used to Sleep by Matthaus Worle is a well paced and hauntingly beautiful look at the impacts of governmental corruption and extraction mining. The human story of a single woman left behind and losing her home to these powerful and unjust forces is one we see far too often, and the film is a call to speak up against environmental degradation, extractionism, and indifferent governmental regimes.

Best Short Documentary International

Black rain in my eyes

Country – Syria

Director- Amir Athar Soheili, Amir Masoud Soheili

Jury Citation: 

The film is a touching, bittersweet examination of war through the lens of a creative father protecting his blind daughters. The films fun and poignancy are a call to end war and sustain peace in all societies for our children.

Best Short Narrative International

Best Film Nepali Panorama

Remnants

Director – Dhanraj Barkote

 Jury Citation: 

The jury was moved by the film’s vulnerability and honest self-reflection of identities. Traversing space and time, the film is a raw exploration of where we come from and how that shapes us.

Best Nepali Female Filmmaker

Devi

Director – Subina Shrestha

Jury Citation: 

Special mention to the film DEVI, directed by Subina Shrestha. DEVI raises issues that many wish to keep quiet and just forget. The film shows that without justice, truth and reconciliation are not possible for conflict victims. The bravery of the women showcased in the film ask us – the audience – to bear witness to the injustice and harm that has not yet healed. We commend the film team on a moving and impactful documentary.

Best Film Nepali Panorama, Special Jury Mention

Chesang

Director – Rajeela Shrestha

Jury Citation: 

We were moved by the film’s examination of gender and identity centering on menstruation. This traditionally taboo topic intersects with gender identity. The short film accomplishes a tremendous amount in just 12 minutes. It is an ambition and successful attempt to begin to de-stigmatize conversations around these important topics. As an emerging filmmaker we commend you, and we look forward to seeing future work.