Bikalpa – an Alternative, organized the “Movie Screening- Premier Show,” of its recently concluded “Liberty Filmmaking Workshop” at the Hotel Siddhartha Sunny Resort September 21, 2023. Mr. Basanta Adhikari moderated the program which was attended by guests from various sectors, Liberty Filmmaking Workshop participants and the cast and crew of the 4 short films showcased during the event.
The guest among the audience included: Bhadra Bhandari (General Secretary, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Surkhet), Dinesh Khatri (ward President, Birendranagar Municipality 1 ), Sagar Thani (Assistant Campus Head, Siddhapaila Campus), Dhanas KC (President, Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations), Pradip Neupane (Manager, Siddhartha Sunny Resort), Khumlal Neupane (Manager, Jankalyan Cooperative Surkhet), Takendra Giri (Entrepreneur), Sita Acharya (Media Journalist ) and Hima Uphadhya (Entrepreneur), among others.
During the premiere show, four movies made by the graduates of the Liberty Filmmaking Workshop were screened. Bikalpa had facilitated the participants of the Liberty Film Making Workshop, Surkhet, to produce four films based on the local issues in Birendranagar, Surkhet. The films written by the workshop participants were based on issues like power cuts, business registration challenges, unfair policies, and the problems faced by street vendors.
1.1 km
The short movie revolves around the young Nepali living in the foreign country returns to Nepal to start his own business of herbal products processing factory. The man faces difficulties in registration, primarily because of a policy that such factories can’t be set within a 1-km radius of forest area, which causes the man to take help from corrupt government officials.
2.Dartaa (Registration)
Dartaa explores registration process issues related to small business. The movie highlights story of A couple who is running a small hotel and needs to register their business because of the mandate the government has set. They had to face different difficulties while registration of their business and even being fooled by an agent.
3.Sadak Ko Kathaaa (Story by The Road)
Punya Shahi, a poor guy, leaves for Surkhet, the capital of Province 4, to secure a future for himself and his mother. The lack of employment forces him to take street vending to earn a livelihood. The film revolves around the problems street vendors have been facing from the authorities.
4.Batti Gayo (Damn Powercut)
The short movie is based on the issue of harsh power cuts in Surkhet. The film follows the journey of Hari Bhandari, a man who returns to his homeland after working abroad with a plan to start a printing press in Surkhet. Hari has to face harsh realities and challenges due to frequent power cuts that affect his newly established business.
Mr. Dinesh Gautam, Director of Hriti Foundation expressed his pleasure in hosting the program at Surkhet Birendranagar and stated that Hriti Foundation was enthusiastic to collaborate in such programs and thanked Bikalpa for the extraordinary event. Also, Bhadra Bhandari, General Secretary, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Surkhet appreciated the program and noted that the movies depicted real issues of the Surkhet Birendra Nagar. During his short speech he highlighted the different challenges that entrepreneurs are facing in various sector. He also shared his entrepreneurial journey and Showcased the different examples of opportunities for Karnali province. At last he also encouraged the youth to think positively and develop entrepreneurship with in themselves.
Different local media personalities were also present at the program. The program was attended by over 100 attendees during the screening.
