‘Boli’ selected as Bangladesh’s official entry for 97th Oscars

The acclaimed Bangladeshi film "Boli" has been selected for nomination into the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category of the 97th Academy Awards, by the Oscar Committee Bangladesh.

The film has won accolades at Busan International Film Festival and Shanghai Film Festival. The 97th Oscar Committee Bangladesh finalized the film after watching it on Tuesday.

Set against the backdrop of Jabbar er Boli Khela (Jabbar's Wrestling Competition) in Chattogram, Boli offers a portrayal of this traditional sporting event and the unique cultural heritage surrounding it.

The film, which was funded by the Bangladeshi government during the fiscal year 2020-21, is produced by Piplu R Khan, with Saiful Azim and Gousul Alam Shaon serving as co-producers. It stars Nasir Uddin Khan in the lead role as a quirky fisherman from the coastal areas, alongside Priyam Archie, Angel Noor, and AKM Itmam.

"Boli" first gained international recognition last year when it won the top prize in the prestigious New Currents section at the 28th Busan International Film Festival. Despite its success on the festival circuit, the film has yet to be released in Bangladesh.

Each year the Oscar Committee Bangladesh and Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies nominates a Bangladeshi feature film to submit it to the Academy Awards’ ‘Best International Feature Film’ category as a part of our national submission.