The NEFTA Film Awards, scheduled for July 6 in America, face controversy as a local organizer withdraws support, raising doubts about the transparency of the visa process.
Aryan Films Productions, one of the organizers, withdrew from the ceremony due to unauthorized individuals being included in the visa process. The company, owned by filmmaker Ramesh MK Paudel, pointed out the inclusion of unapproved names among the 41 visa applicants as the reason.
Gopal Katuwal, the general manager of Aryan Films Productions, stated they had paid $15,000 to NEFTA for airfare, accommodation, and other expenses. They demanded a full refund and referred interested parties to Bimal Pankshi, the organizer of US News.
Nepal Film Technical Association President Pushkar Lama distanced the organization from the controversy, clarifying that the local organizer in America was an individual, not an institution. The official position of the organization will be announced soon.
Discussions arose about NEFTA’s plan to reduce the number of attendees to 29 out of the original 41 after certain organizers withdrew.
NEFTA released videos with actors sharing feedback on the awards. While some intend to attend, many face uncertainty due to visa processing delays. An actor expressed frustration, stating they had not received an interview date, casting doubt on their attendance.
NEFTA is attempting to persuade artists with US visas to participate. However, the controversy has diminished the likelihood of these artists attending the ceremony. The NEFTA Film Awards now face uncertainty as organizers address concerns to ensure a smooth event.