The ‘Fifth International Folk Film Festival’ began Thursday with an aim to publicise and conduct research on the invaluable folk music, songs, folk dances, folk culture, tradition and lifestyle. 

With the prime theme of ‘Music for life and Music to Live’ the festival jointly organised by Museum of Nepali Folk Musical Instruments and Cultural Group will be held until November 29 at the Rastriya Nachghar in Jamal in the Capital. 

Inaugurating the festival, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ananda Prasad Pokharel stressed the need on part of the local communities to take the initiative for preservation of the folk cultures rather than waiting for the state to do so. 

The Museum of Nepalese Folk Musical Instruments Chairman Ram Prasad Kandel said during the festival the experiences on works pertaining to research and conservation of national traditional folk culture would be exchanged. International experts on folk music including Nepal will also present their documents. 

A total of 35 selected documentaries from 18 different countries will be screened in the three-day festival which will be held from 10 am to 5 pm on a daily basis. Six films will be awarded in the outstanding and best categories which the International Decisive Committee will choose. 

Bhim Bahadur Nakarmi, 88, who has been working incessantly for promoting and preserving Newari folk music and culture for the last eight decades will be conferred on the Life Achievement Award.