Actress Gaumaya Gurung is set to participate in the Nepal-America International Film Festival (NAIFF), which will be held in Maryland, USA, from June 25 to 28. The festival will open with the screening of Shape of Momo (Chhorajastai), in which Gurung plays the lead role.
Expressing her excitement about attending the festival as an artist, Gurung said she is looking forward to meeting members of the Nepali diaspora as well as fellow filmmakers and exchanging experiences with them.
“I am grateful for the enthusiasm and positive response the film has received since the beginning. It is a special achievement for us that Shape of Momo has been selected as the opening film of the festival. I am even more excited to meet diaspora audiences and participate in this event,” she said.
According to Gurung, the festival plays an important role in bringing stories of the Nepali diaspora to global audiences and in fostering cultural exchange among different communities. Thanking the festival organizers, she expressed confidence that such opportunities would further encourage intercultural storytelling.
“Festivals like this are important platforms that connect Nepali art, culture, and stories with the international community. I hope more work will be done around diaspora narratives and that our creative network will continue to grow stronger,” she added.
Alongside Gurung, the film features performances by Pashupati Rai, Janaki Kathayat, and others. Directed by Triveni Rai, Shape of Momo is currently being screened simultaneously in Nepal and India and has been receiving positive responses from audiences. Viewers have particularly praised Gurung’s performance.
Set in a Himalayan village in Sikkim, the film tells the story of three generations of women from the same family, exploring themes of relationships, silence, emotional inheritance, struggle, and identity.
The film won an award at the Busan International Film Festival and has also been screened at prestigious festivals, including the San Sebastián International Film Festival.
Gaumaya Gurung is recognized as one of the established actresses in Nepali cinema. In 2024, she was selected for the acting category of Berlinale Talents, a prestigious talent development program of the Berlin International Film Festival. Among 3,832 applicants from 131 countries, she was the only artist selected from Nepal. Following her participation in Berlinale Talents, she received acting training and mentorship from internationally renowned filmmakers and actors.
Gurung has previously appeared in several acclaimed Nepali films, including Kabaddi 4, Phoolbari, Rajagunj, and Mahajatra.
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