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BlackStar Festival 2024 - August 1st to 4th BlackStar Festival 2024 - August 1st to 4th

Short Narrative

The Witness Tree

Screenings

In-Person

Sabitri takes her son Sridhar, who is questioning his own identity after the discovery of his father’s suicide, on a coming-of-age ritual. However, Sridhar runs away and demands that his mother reveal the secret of his origin. She wants to protect her son from the painful truth but also wants to be honest with him. However, the tree where her husband hanged himself still stands, reminding her of the past and her father-in-law, who holds the secret and poses a threat.

Directors Spotlight

A picture of a man named Niranjan Raj Bhetwal. He is against a plain, dark gray background facing slightly to his left, with his head turned towards the camera. He has short, dark hair that is styled messily. His facial hair consists of a thick, full beard and mustache. He is wearing a black t-shirt and has a calm, serious expression on his face.

Niranjan Raj Bhetwal

Director

Niranjan Raj Bhetwal is a talented Nepali filmmaker based in Kathmandu. He boasts a Bachelor’s degree in Scriptwriting and Direction, as well as a 2-year diploma in Digital Animation and Video Editing, and has participated in several filmmaking workshops and master classes. As a filmmaker, Bhetwal’s passion lies in authentically representing the Nepali voice and culture in his films. His work explores thought-provoking themes such as family ties, magical realism, and complex, diverse characters with strong spiritual values. He has been selected for prestigious programs such as Berlinale Talent Campus 2021 and Global Media Makers 2022. His short film KAFAL PAKYO (2014) was widely celebrated, traveling to over 75 film festivals and winning numerous awards. His other short film MADARIYEKO NILO DHUWAN (2018) was also widely recognized, traveling to over 25 film festivals and winning awards. His latest short film ANHAD (2022) premiered at some of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, such as 51 IFF Rotterdam, 51 New Directors/New Films, and the 30th Raindance Film Festival. He has completed his latest short film, THE WITNESS TREE, that was selected for the Berlinale Short Form Station 2021. He is also currently working on his debut feature film, ACROSS THE RAINBOW BRIDGE, which has been selected at prestigious programs such as OPEN DOORS – Locarno in 2017, Cannes Cinefondation L’Atelier in 2018, and NFDC Film Bazar in 2019.

  • Runtime 14 minutes
  • Country Nepal
  • Language Nepali
  • Director Niranjan Raj Bhetwal
  • Cast ADITYA GHIMIRE, SONICA THAKURI, GANESH PRASHAD CHAULAGAIN
  • Cinematographer SARAD MAHATO
  • Producer NAWA NIDHI DAHAL
  • Screenwriter NIRANJAN RAJ BHETWAL
  • Editor SANDEEP SHRESTHA
  • Executive Producer PREM PRASHAD ADHIKARY
  • Production Design SANDEEP SHRESTHA
  • Sound Design KISHORE ACHARYA
  • Premiere North America

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