Written and directed by Anil Budha Magar, the film Lomba (The Leadership), which brings a seldom-told story from the Himalayas, is slated to premiere at the Nepali Indigenous Film Festival to be held in New York, starting August 25. The film has received six nods at the Festival, making it the film with the highest number of nominations. Lomba has been nominated for Best Director, Best Story, Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Actor and Best Costume Design, the organisers announced. 

In Nepal’s popular culture, the word ‘sheep’ is often used ironically, to refer to an obsequious simpleton, who instead of coming up with his own original ideas follows what he has been told. This idea has been derived from the way the sheep are herded in the upper reaches of the country: Whenever a shepherd has to transport the herd of sheep from one place to another, he has to appoint a ‘leader’ sheep and give him directions, while rest of the sheep by default follow suit. With Lomba, director Magar brings this reality to the screen. 

“Set in the Himalayas, Lomba tells the story of the selection of a next sheep ‘leader’ following the demise of an erstwhile ‘Lomba’. Selecting a Lomba and training it often happens to be a gruelling task for shepherds. Which gives the film its main conflict,” director Magar said. 

Lomba is director Magar’s third feature. Prior to this, Magar directed Gaaula Gothalo (2012), Tukreko Mutu (2012); a short Raithane Gyan Binako Jeevan (2013) and a documentary film Pahichan ko Khoji (2014). 

Lomba features actors such as Janak Budhamagar, Maitya Gharti Magar, Dhana Rupi Budhamagar, Tira Budhamagar, Shambu Pun Magar, Ram Bini Budhamagar, and Surat Pun Magar, in the lead roles. 

Along with Lomba, the film festival will host screening of a total of seven feature films—Helukbu (Limbu), Krisha Gautami (Newar), Mairimo (Gurung), Sumnima (Rai), Mem Tabamhi (Tamang), and Sherada—and 24 short films . 

The three-day fest will run through August 27.