May 24, 2026 
Kathmandu: The award ceremony of the Third Karnali International Film Festival 2083, held on Saturday at the Nepal Tourism Board in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, saw the film Unko Sweater emerge as the biggest winner of the evening, taking home multiple honors including Best Feature Film.
Produced by ArtMandu Nepal, Unko Sweater won the festival’s top award, while Bipin Karki was named Best Actor and Naveen Chauhan received the Best Director Award for the same film. Actress Jassita Gurung was honored as Best Actress for her performance in Jerry on Top, while actor Paul Shah received the prestigious Social Icon Actor Award.
Other major winners included Raj Bahadur Sane, who was presented with the Karnali Edison Award (Director), and Ashish Tamang, who won the award for Emerging Film Producer and Distributor. The Best Short Film Award went to Happiness, produced by Flying Feather Films of Mugu. Meanwhile, producer Santosh Sen, known for Prem Geet 2, was honored with the Karnali Visionary Award for his contribution to Nepali cinema.
Receiving the first award of her career, actress Jassita Gurung expressed her gratitude and dedicated the recognition to audiences who have continuously supported her work. Actor Paul Shah said the Social Icon Actor Award had increased his sense of responsibility and pledged to continue social service initiatives through his organization. Best Director winner Naveen Chauhan thanked the organizers for recognizing his work and said he was deeply honored to receive such an award for his debut film.
A major highlight of the event was a special discussion titled “Looking Back at History – The First Film Award Dialogue.” The session was chaired by veteran artist Narendra Bahadur Shrestha, who organized Nepal’s first-ever film awards in 1985 by inviting acclaimed Indian actress Shabana Azmi to Nepal. Moderated by senior filmmaker and film historian Prakash Sayami, the discussion featured veteran actor Shiva Shrestha and veteran actress Sharmila Malla, who shared memorable experiences from their distinguished careers.
The ceremony was presided over by festival advisor and former registrar Dr. Mahendra Kumar Malla. Distinguished guests included veteran actor Shiva Shrestha and festival patron Bhawani Rana, former president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI).
Festival Director Chakra Bahadur Chand said the primary objective of the festival is to showcase Karnali’s hidden artistic, cultural, and tourism potential to the world through cinema. He emphasized that the organizers are committed to honoring artistic excellence while linking the film industry with tourism promotion. Surya Thapaliya, Senior Manager of the Nepal Tourism Board, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the growing relationship between cinema and tourism and the board’s role in supporting that synergy.
Among the notable attendees were former Film Development Board chairman Krishna Malla, Nepal Film Artists Association president Uttam KC, Film Directors Society Nepal president Arun Pradhan, actress-director-producer Rekha Thapa, actor Dil Shrestha, actor Himesh Pant, producer Prem Puri, artist Pabitra Saki (Miss Pabi), lyricist Harka Saud, festival goodwill ambassador and actress Surakshya Panta, and producer-director Santosh Sen, among others.
Festival patron Bhawani Rana congratulated organizer Red Cherry Media and wished continued success for the event, while advisor Dr. Mahendra Kumar Malla stated that future editions of the festival would be organized with even greater professionalism and responsibility.
The third edition of the Karnali International Film Festival officially began in Surkhet on April 25, and was later expanded through a local edition, the Kupinde Lake Film and Tourism Festival, held at the scenic Kupinde Lake area in Salyan.
