Butterfly Bhutan Wins Best Film at KIMFF 2025

Kathmandu: The 22nd Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF) concluded on Sunday, showcasing over 65 films from 30 countries under the theme “Fractured Voices, Reclaiming Narratives.”

Sonam Yangzom’s critically acclaimed “Butterfly Bhutan” took home the ICIMOD Mountain Film Award, the festival’s highest honor. Indian filmmaker Manohara K  received the KU Emerging Filmmaker Award for Bird of a Different Feather.

Kenji Tsukamoto’s “Ashima” earned the Mountain & Adventure Special Mention, while Feline Gerhardt’s “Minus 103 Degrees” received a Special Mention in the same category.

In the international segment, Pham Ngoc Lan’s “Cu Li Never Cries” won Best Feature Fiction Film, and “Mori” by Yakup Tekintangac won Best Short Fiction Film. Yi-Shan Lo’s “After the Snowmelt” won Best Feature Documentary, and “Winter Taiga” by Dominique Snyers secured the Best Short Documentary award.

From Nepal, Saurav Ghimire’s “Songs of Love and Hate” won Best Nepali Fiction Film, and “Chhau,” directed by Saja Sunuwar, won Best Nepali Documentary. Kalani Gacon’s “Family Man” was honored with the Audience Award.

In the script pitching session, three emerging screenwriters were awarded. Shreeya Singh received the British Council Award (NPR 150,000), Aakriti Shrestha won the Goethe Centrum Award (NPR 100,000), and Sushmita Bogati received the Shanta Nepali Production Award, which includes production and post-production support worth NPR 350,000.

KIMFF Foundation board member Shekhar Kharel announced that the next edition of the festival will be even more impactful and inclusive.