The jury of NAIFF 2026 — Nepal America International Film Festival of Maryland announced this year’s award winners during the Closing Ceremony at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center on June 28, 2026.
The 2026 jury members were Lisa M. Hodsoll, Nina Streich, Rebecca Bustamante, Siddhartha Shakya, and Vanessa D. Anthony. The jury evaluated the festival’s official competition selections and recognized films that demonstrated excellence in storytelling, artistic vision, and cinematic achievement.
The award winners of NAIFF 2026 are as follows:
Best Feature
Winner: Shape of Momo
Director: Tribeny Rai
Honorable Mention: Crawling Crows
Director: Zaun Yonzan
Best Nepali Panorama
Winner: Shakti
Director: Nani Sahra Walker
Honorable Mention: Family Man
Director: Kalani Gacon
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Best Documentary
Winner: Have You Seen My God?
Director: Amitabha Joshi
Honorable Mention: The Road to Til
Director: Rajan Kathet
Best DMV Close-Up
Winner: Have You Seen My God?
Director: Amitabha Joshi
Best Short Film
Winner: Hills Don’t Dance Alone
Director: Shubham Negi
Winner: One Two There
Director: Amir Hossein Keshmiri
Jury Award
Winner: Always
Director: Deming Chen
Honorable Mention: Perfectly Seasoned
Directors: Brittaney Ramjattan & Andres Ramjattan
Honorable Mention: Soleman Promise
Director: Alin Katel
Honorable Mention: Have a Good One
Director: Purandhya Sharma