The much-anticipated 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) is set to commence in the capital on Saturday and will run until January 28.
With a diverse selection of 250 films from 74 countries, including 71 from Bangladesh, the festival promises to be a celebration of global cinema.
Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali as the chief guest will inaugurate the festival at 4pm Saturday at the National Museum's main conference hall. Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka Yao Wen and renowned Indian actress Sharmila Tagore will also attend the ceremony as special guests.
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At a press conference on Thursday, the festival’s Director Ahmed Mujtaba Jamal said, "Dhaka International Film Festival is the most prestigious and notable film festival in Bangladesh, contributing significantly to the cultivation of a rich and progressive cultural heritage in the country.
“We believe that this festival, known as 'Rainbow,' has successfully created a platform for connecting the youth and promising filmmakers with the international film community.”
“Just as it has been successful in building bridges with the international film industry, it has also firmly established the identity of Bangladeshi cinema in line with global cinematic trends," he said.
The festival's screenings will take place at several venues, including the National Museum's Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Conference Hall, Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall, Shilpakala Academy's National Art Gallery, Dance Theatre Conference Hall, Alliance Française de Dhaka, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Academy Conference Hall.
Entry to all screenings is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the opening and closing ceremonies are reserved exclusively for invited guests.
The year’s festival will open with the Iran-Bangladesh joint production film ‘Fereshteh’ starring acclaimed actress Jaya Ahsan and directed by Morteza Atashzamzam, under the Wide Angle Film Poster Exhibition section.
The inaugural session on Saturday evening will also showcase the Shyam Benegal-directed ‘Mujib: Ekti Jatir Rupokar’ (Mujib: The Making of a Nation) at 7pm, under the Bangladesh Panorama category.
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A highlight of this year's DIFF is the "Master Class" session, featuring acclaimed Iranian director Majid Majidi, known for his outstanding works like "Children of Heaven" and "Song of Sparrows." Additionally, Indian filmmaker Anjan Dutt will also conduct a master class on January 27.
The "Wide Angle" section of the festival will be inaugurated on Monday at 4:30pm, with Social Welfare Minister Dipu Moni as the chief guest and Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and Deputy Chair of the Shanghai Film Association Shi Chuan as special guests.
The "10th International Women Filmmakers Conference" from Sunday to Monday at the Samson Lounge of the Dhaka Club will provide a platform for Bangladeshi and international women filmmakers to exchange ideas and experiences.
A screenplay competition titled "West Meets East" will be hosted at the Alliance Française de Dhaka from January 23-26, offering cash prizes of $5,000, $3,000, and $2,000 for the top three winners.
The festival is set to conclude on January 28, with State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker, Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi, and Indian actress Sharmila Tagore attending.
Organised by the Rainbow Film Society since 1992, the Dhaka International Film Festival aims to foster cultural exchange and provide a platform for emerging filmmakers to connect with the global film industry. The event is supported by various ministries and esteemed partners, making it a significant cultural milestone in Bangladesh.
