Kathmandu, July 7 -- Bigotry is not innate, it is learned behaviour - that message is front and centre in Akanchha Karki's short film, Sanai.

The film won best director, best cinematography, best story, best original score, and best picture at Malaysia's Neo South Independent Film Festival as well as awards at the Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival and the Nepal America International Film Festival.

Sanai is the story of Rupa and Maya, two teenage Dalit and Brahmin girls form an unconditional friendship within a patriarchal, caste-ridden society. The film starts with Rupa's father heading to Maya's house to play the sanai, a musical instrument of the Dalit community at the wedding of Maya's uncle.

Dialogue and the behaviou...