Film Southasia 2019: Festival of Southasian Documentaries

Organized by Film Southasia

Sunday, November 17, 2019
Film Southasia c/o The Southasia Trust Kathmandu

Film Southasia (FSA) is a biennial festival held in Kathmandu, Nepal, initiated in 1997 to popularise documentaries that inform, entertain and transform lives. In between festivals, a package of fine and representative films travel the region and overseas as mini-festivals titled Travelling Film Southasia (TFSA). 

Film Southasia opens submissions for the 12th edition of the premier documentary film festival of Southasian region that will take place 14-17 November 2019 in Kathmandu.

DAY 1 November 14

Film representative present

HALL 1: MAJLIS
The Winter Tap Nepal 12'
Bringing water to the family in Nepal's mountains.
Dir. Aashish Limbu, Debin Rai
Time: 10:00

Hotel Naaz India 23
A journey of discovery to a hotel in Old Delhi.
Dir. Yusra Hasan
Time: 10:35

Memoirs of Saira & Salim India 14
Revisiting an old home destroyed by communal riots stirs deep-rooted memories
Dir. Eshwarya Grover
Time: 11:20

Akashvani (voice from the sky) India 23
Exploring nomadic life in the 21st century
Dir. Pramati Anand
Time: 12:05

Roshan & Mani India 19'
A tale of two delightful sisters confronting old age.
Dir. Rishaya Palkhivala
Time: 12:50

Scratches on Celluloid UK/ Pakistan/ Srilanka 54'
Exploring the institution of the urban cinema amidst amnesia and remembrance.
Dir. Vindhya Buthpitiya, Timothy P.A. Cooper
Time: 13:30

HALL 2: BAGGIKHANA

Trikon (Triangle) | India 24'
Stuntwomen in Bollywood defy patriarchy.
Dir. Aniket Prakash Deore
Time: 10:30

Lopsang Germany/Tibet22'
Tibetan in Germany seeks zen through the art of Sushi-making,
Dir. Ayunga Khiyad
Time: 11:00

And What is the Summer Saying India 24
A mystical film-poem on Kondwalli village in Maharashtra.
Dir. Payal Kapadia
Time 11:15


Dusk with Dust India 12'
A beautiful landscape drowned in dust by the march of man and machines.
Dir. Aashish Katiyan
Time: 12:00

Listen Myanmar 13'
Portrait of a revolutionary artist exiled from Myanmar.
Dir. Min Min Hein
Time: 12:20

Rampatar-Dividing by a Platter India 17'
A separate platter for Dalits keeps the practice of untouchability alive in Gujarat
Dir. Vivek Gopinath
Time: 13:30

 

DAY 2 15 NOV, FRIDAY

HALL 1: MAJLIS

Opium Wars Myanmar 52
Rampant opium addiction debilitates youth in Kachin state, but does Myanmar care?
Dir. John La Raw
Time: 10:00

We are with Dr. KC Nepal 90'
A single-handed peaceful crusade against corruption in Nepal
Dir. Gopal Shivakoti, Govinda Shivakoti
Time: 11:00

Backyard Chefs | India | 37'
Cooking up the culinary magic of Wazwan in Kashmir's backyards
Dir. Mehvish Rather
Time: 12:50

Searching for Saraswati India 20
The hot pursuit of a mythological river in rural India.
Dir. Shirley Abraham, Amit Madheshiya
Time: 13:35

Our Gauri India 67'
The story of Gauri Lankesh, killed for calling out communal forces in India.
Dir. Pradeep K.P.
Time: 14:00

Ammi India 90
Seeking justice for a son disappeared from JNU in the heart of Delhi
Dir. Sunil Kumar
Time: 15:20

The Last Hop(e) India 20'
Last Hop or Last Hope? Will the frog be saved in India
Dir. Dheeraj Aithal, Pradeep Hegde
Time: 17:10

The Monks who won the Grammy India 53’
The story of the monks of Palpung and their unusual prize
Dir. Aparna Sanyal
Time: 17:35

HALL 2: BAGGIKHANA

Swimming Through The Darkness India 76’
Chronicling the roller-coaster life of a visually challenged swimmer
Dir. Supriyo Sen
Time: 10:05

S.D.: Saroj Dutta and His Times India 115’
A communist poet, a radical journalist and a deep state killing
Dir. Kasturi Basu, Mitali Biswas
Time: 12:20

6 Feet Under India 35’
Dalit burials Kerala point to a social condition.
Dir. Sanu Kummil
Time 13:30

DAY2 15 NOV, FRIDAY

Starring Sharmila Tagore India 52'
Following the iconic actor's eventful life story
Dir. Umang Sabarwal
Time: 14:20

After Sabeen Pakistan 74'
Gunned down for believing in cultural freedom, memories keep Sabeen Mahmud alive.
Dir. Schokofeh kamiz
Time: 15:30

Kabul, City in the Wind Afghanistan 88'
Life in Kabul seen through the eyes of two children and a bus driver.
Dir. Aboozar Amini
Time: 16:55

HALL 3: GAUSHALA

The Sound Man Mangesh Desai India 113
The story of Bollywood's legendary sound artist
Dir. Subash Sahoo
Time: 11:30

Pushkar Myths India 100'
Exploring the myths and gods of India and their political instrumentalization
Dir. Kamal Swaroop
Time: 14:20

In a Year of 12 Seasons India 26'
An octogenarian reflects on the vitality and fragility of old age.
Dir. Suyash Barve
TIme: 17:10

COURTYARD SCREENING


ABU Canada/ Pakistan | 80'
A father and his gay son as they move from Pakistan to Canada to build new lives.
Dir. Arshad Khan
TIme: 19:00

DAY 3 16 NOV, SATURDAY

HALL 1: MAJLIS

Indus Blues Pakistan 76'
Pakistani folk artists struggle to keep their music and instruments alive.
Dir. Jawad Sharif
Time: 10:00

Trapped in Qatar Nepal/Germany 17'
Nepali workers survive on bread and water in Qatar
Dir. Benjamin Best, Shankar Dahal
TIme: 11:35

Scratches On Stone India 66'
The past lingers in Nagaland casting shadows over its future
Dir. Amit Mahanti
Time: 12:15

Chai Darbari India 29
Conversations swirl around a teashop in a political hotspot
Dir. Prateek Shekhar
Time: 13:45

Growing up in Ladakh India/France 52
Empathy and compassion marks growing up in Ladakh
Dir. Stanzin Dorjai Gya, Christiane Mordelet
Time: 14:35

After Prayers India/Italy | 61'
Hope and anger, love and grief, poetry and brutality in Indian Kashmir
Dir. Simone Mestroni
TIme: 15:45

An Engineered Dream India 72
The teaching shops of Kota take all the joy out of learning
Dir. Hemant Kumar Gaba
Time: 17:05


HALL 2: BAGGIKHANA

Raghu Rai India/ Finland 55'
Ace photographer Raghu Rai's story through the eyes of his rebel daughter
Dir. Avani Rai
Time: 10:05

Facing the Dragon (USA/Afghanistan 82'
Two women struggle to keep their rights and families safe in Afghanistan.
Dir. Sedika Mojadidi
Time: 11:05

We Have Not Come Here to Die India 78'
Dalit scholar driven to suicide by caste supremacists.
Dir. Deepa Dhanraj. Jabeen Merchant
Time: 12:35


Salam - The First ******Nobel Laureate Pakistan | 75
Pakistan's first Nobel prize winner disregarded for his religious beliefs.
Dir. Anand Kamalakar
TIme: 14:15


The Death Of Us | India | 78'
Powerful answers to the debate on the death penalty in India
Dir. Vani Subramanian
Time: 15:45

DAY 3 16 NOV, SATURDAY

Are you going to school today?" India 59
Exploring the fragile relationship between children and schools in rural India.
Dir. Anupama Srinivasan
Time: 17:05

Achoubi In Love India 26'
Protecting Manipuri ponies ingenuously
Dir. Meena Longjam
Time: 18:20

HALL 3: GAUSHALA

Panel: Liberty and the Spirit of Southasia
Time: 11:00

Ghode Ko Jalebi Khilane Le Ja Riya Hoon India 121
A blend of fact and fiction brings alive syncretic culture of Old Delhi
Dir. Anamika Haksar
Time: 12:30


COURTYARD SCREENING

The Next Guardian Bhutan 74'
A thoughtful and tender portrait of a Bhutanese family
Dir. Arun Bhattarai, Dorottya Zurbo
Time: 19:00

DAY 4 17 NOV, SUNDAY

HALL 1: MAJLIS

Moti Bagh | India | 60'
Keeping the Uttarakhand Hills productive with help from Nepal.
Dir. Nirmal Chander
Time: 10:00

Bamboo Stories Bangladesh 96'
Pirates, rapids, lurking dangers mark bamboo trade in Bangladesh
Dir. Shaheen Dilli-Riaz
Time: 11:05

Bloody Phanek India 48'
Manipuri sarong challenges masculinity.
Dir. Sonia Nepram
Time: 13:00


Lynch Nation India 43
A journey across India tracking mob lynchings.
Dir. Shaheen Ahmed & Ashfaque Ej
Time: 14:05

Iron Khan India 61
The difficult life of a surrendered militant in Kashmir
Dir. Naseer Khanday
Time: 15:10

A Dying Wish India 14
A lively old couple asks the state for death
Dir. Shubhra Dixit
Time: 16:30

Badshah Lear India 61'
King Lear finds resonance in folk theatre of Kashmir, but will performance be allowed?
Dir. Anant Raina
Time: 17:05

HALL 2: BAGGIKHANA

Palace Of Colour India 26'
Santhali woman narrates the origin of creation
Dir Prantik Basu
Time: 10:05


All That Perishes at the Edge of Land Pakistan 30
A poetic film on shipbreakers in Pakistan
Dir. Hira Nabi
Time: 10:35


Returning To The First Beat India | 85'
Music and architecture meld in historic Mumbai.
Dir. Surabhi Sharma
Time: 11:10


Janani's Juliet India 53'
Romeo and Juliet performance reflects on honour killings in India
Dir. Pankaj Rishi Kumar
Time: 12:40

Rohingya's dream Iran/ Bangladesh 23'
The life of a refugee Rohingya child.
Dir. Mohammad Mahdi Khalegi
Time: 13:40

Walking with M India | 90'
A Padyatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir for peace.
Dir. Akash Sagar Chopra
Time: 14:10

17 NOV, SUNDAY


Sikhiri Mwsanai (Dance Of The Butterfly)" India 66
Seeking Bodo identity through traditional music and dance.
Dir. Subasri Krishnan
Time: 15:45

Tungrus India 13
Tungrus the rooster, raises merry hell in Mumbai home
Dir. Rishi Chandna
Time: 17:25

In Fact... (Teen Sotti)" | India 52
A celebration of love and togetherness - with a difference
Dir. Debalina Majumder
Time: 17:15

HALL 3: GAUSHALA

Panel: on Social Media
Time: 11:00

COURTYARD SCREENING


Pariah Dog India | 77'
A delightful tale of eccentric dog lovers in Kolkatta.
Dir. Jesse Alk
Time: 18:30


Award Ceremony and Festival Closing
Time: 19:45