Film South Asia '01, the third edition of the biennial festival of South Asian documentaries, was held in Kathmandu from 4-7 October. At the closing ceremony, the Festival Jury consisting of Indian film director, Shyam Benegal, Bangladeshi professor of English and social critic, Firdous Azim, and Nepali film director and actor, Neer Shah, announced the top four films.

The Ram Bahadur Trophy for Best Film and a cash prize of US$ 2000 went to the Bangladeshi film 'My Migrant Soul' directed by Yasmine Kabir. The Jury Citation described the film as "a deeply moving account of a young man's shattered dreams as he travels as a migrant worker to Malaysia from Bangladesh. The film also portrays two remarkable women – his mother and sister – as they try to get news of him unaware that he has been reduced to a prisoner and virtually a slave. This human tragedy is representative of a broader problem in this age of globalisation."

A Nepali entry 'A Rough Cut on the Life and Times of Lachuman Magar' directed by Dinesh Deokota was adjudged Second Best Film and awarded a cash prize of US$ 1000. The Jury Citation called the film "a picaresque account of an ordinary man - made extraordinary by his appetite for life and love. This film is a fine example of cine verite."

The Indian film 'Jari Mari: Of Cloth and Other Stories' directed by Surabi Sharma was adjudged Third Best Film and awarded a cash prize of US$500. The Jury Citation called the film "a social documentary portraying the everyday struggle of people in a Mumbai slum. It is remarkable for the felicity and facility with which it deals with the complexity of the urban economy issues such as casual labour, formal vs informal modes of employment, and fragmentation of the labour process."

Another Indian film 'King of Dreams' directed by Amar Kanwar was given the Jury's Award. The Jury Citation described it as "a deeply personal film dealing with dreams, desires and eternal yearning. The use of cinematic images shows a masterly control over the material to stunning effect, without ever degenerating into self-indulgence."

The Citation further said the Jury "found the films entered for Film South Asia '01 of a very high standard which only goes to prove that the genre of documentary and short film-making is alive and well and thriving in South Asia."

Altogether 50 documentaries - 45 in competition and five out of competition - from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan were screened at the festival and some 30 filmmakers from all over South Asia were in Kathmandu to present their films and lead discussion afterwards.