‘Jaar’ wins best South Asian feature film at NIFF 2026

GANGTOK,: ‘Jaar’, directed by Phurba Tshering Lama, has won Best Feature Film award in the South Asian Panorama at the 9th Nepal International Film Festival (NIFF).

The jury awarded the film for its powerful portrayal of love, desire, and rebellion in 19th century Nepal under the Rana regime, highlighting its unflinching depiction of gender oppression and the struggle for personal freedom within a deeply conservative society, a press release on Saturday informs.

NIFF 2026 showcased a wide spectrum of global cinema. Other top honors included Pooja, Sir by Deepak Rauniyar (Best International Feature Film) and GunyoCholo (The Dress) by SamundraBhatta (Best National Feature Film).

‘Jaar’ was presented at the Russian House, attended by the director along with supporting actor Col BimalDewan and marketing headTrilochanPandey.

Set in 19th century Nepal and adapted from a story by IndraBahadurRai, ‘Jaar’ explores identity, justice, stigma, and exile through an intimate and visually striking lens.

The film stars GeetanjaliThapa, SaugatMalla, and AnoopBikramShahi in lead roles, supported by a strong ensemble including Jai Prakash Lama, Col BimalDewan, Late Subedar Major Dorjee Lama, Late BimalaThatal, DevikalaLimboo, SushmitaBhujel, and YounamLimboo.

PhurbaTshering Lama, an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India, began his journey with the internationally acclaimed short film ‘EkDhakarJiwan’, which won the Best Short Film Peace Award at the Gothenburg Independent Film Festival and received a Special Jury Mention at Clermont Ferrand.

With ‘Jaar’, his debut feature, Lama establishes a distinct cinematic voice rooted in Himalayan identity, blending visual austerity with emotional intensity. The film has previously been selected for the Main Competition at the Alania Film Festival in Russia, won Best Picture at the Indic Film Utsav in Dallas, and is an Official Selection at the South Asian Film Festival of Florida.

‘Jaar’ was also supported by the Government of Sikkim (IPR department), under the initiative of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay to promote regional cinema.

“This recognition at NIFF is more than an individual achievement. It marks a pivotal cultural moment for filmmakers from Darjeeling and Sikkim. Regions often underrepresented in mainstream Indian and global cinema, the Eastern Himalayas carry a rich reservoir of stories, languages, and lived experiences that rarely find space on international platforms,” the release states.