The awards ceremony's 12th edition will be held in Brisbane, Queensland on November 29 where Rauniyar will join four other prominent filmmakers from around the globe. Together, they will pick winners from 46 films submitted by 22 countries.
Rauniyar told SBS Nepali that he's honoured to be invited as a member of the international jury at the APSA - the highest accolade in film from our region.
"This will not only provide me with an opportunity to watch cream works from the region and discuss with esteemed members of the jury and reflect but will also give me an opportunity to meet diverse artists, filmmakers in person and develop networks with them," he said.
Rauniyar made headlines in 2017 when he became the first filmmaker from Nepal to be invited to showcase his production – ‘White Sun’ as well as be a part of the Sydney Film festival's five-member jury panel.
Deepak Rauniyar was the first Nepali director to be among the five-member jury panel at Sydney Film Festival in 2017 Source: Facebook/Sydney Film Festival
Speaking to SBS Nepali in 2017, Rauniyar said making films and judging other's work as a jury were two entirely different matter.
"To sit around other prominent people from the fraternity and discuss is a great learning exercise," he said.
Rauniyar says Nepal has little or nil cinema culture and it is time people start viewing cinema as a learning tool as well as being an entertainment option.
"Cinemas not only help you transform but also lends you an eye to see the world from a different perspective."
Highlighting the importance of film festivals, Rauniyar says people need to realise there is a lot more and much different kind of cinemas being produced all over which tell stories of every kind.
"I’m thankful to the Academy for inviting me and really looking forward to it," he said on being asked to be a member of the international jury.
Rauniyar was a producer for BBC Action Media before he shot to fame with his debut feature film ‘Highway’ in 2012. It was the first Nepali film ever to be screened at a major film festival with its premiere at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival.
His second production, ‘White Sun’ (2016), not only premiered at the Venice Film Festival but also won the InterFilm Award. It also won the best Asian feature at the Singapore Asian film festival and the Grand Jury Prize at Palm Springs International Film Festival.
As for future projects, Rauniyar said he was hoping to prepare his third feature film for release in 2020 without delving into any further details of his plan.
Truly honored to be invited to be member of the international jury of upcoming Asia Pacific Screen Awards... Posted by Deepak Rauniyar on Wednesday, 7 November 2018
Rauniyar will be joined by Indonesian director and producer Nia Dinata, Georgian producer Vladimer Katcharava, Chilean actress Antonia Zegers and Ukrainian producer Alexander Rodnyansky, who is president of the international jury.
Chair of the APSA and its Academy Michael Hawkins said, "it is an honour for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards to have such eminent filmmakers from across the region as valued jurors, and we thank them all for their generous contribution."
