Cinematic Celebration of Bhutan: The First Kingdom of Bhutan International Film Festival
This September, Bhutan will be the very first venue to hold the Kingdom of Bhutan International Film Festival, showcasing a hand-picked selection of films from around the world for intercultural communication. The Bhutan Film Institute has announced that the festival is scheduled to happen from 17th to 23rd September at both Paro and Thimphu.
A range of films from new and more established filmmakers worldwide will be presented as part of KBIFF, based on the support from BFI’s royal patron, Queen Mother Gyalyum Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. It builds bridges of mutual understanding and intercultural dialogue through the universal medium of cinema, and serves as a platform to express individual voices and their ideas in distinctive forms.
The opening gala will be in Paro on 19th September, and then on 20th to 22nd September, the festival films will run in Thimphu. This shall unroll a rich bouquet of feature films, documentaries, and short films spanning across genres and geographies. On these dates, workshops, and panels with interactive sessions by eminent filmmakers, actors, and industry experts will take place in Thimphu. The function will close on 23rd September with an award and closing ceremony in the capital. By that time, the best films and filmmakers will be awarded.
“We are absolutely delighted to launch the Kingdom of Bhutan International Film Festival,” remarked Tshering Phuntsho, Festival Director, KBIFF. “It is a celebration of creativity and storytelling. We are really excited to bring filmmakers and audiences from all over the world to our beautiful country.”
With its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, Bhutan provides inspirationally different backdrops against which the festival is taking place. The event will let visitors experience Bhutanese warmth and hospitality while attending a diverse cinematic program. The organisers invite people from all over the world, saying that the festival offers something for everyone: cinema enthusiasts, industry professionals, and those simply interested in Bhutanese culture.
