DIFF likely to screen 220 films from 70 countries

As many as 220 films from around 70 countries are set to be screened in the 20th edition of the Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) which is scheduled for January 15 to 23.

The festival will feature films under Asian Film Competition section, Retrospective section, Tribute section, Wide Angle section, Bangladesh Panorama section, Cinema of the World section, Children’s Films section, Spiritual Films section, Short and Independent Film section and Women Filmmakers’ section.

DIFF 20th will be introducing the Screenplay competition for South Asian countries this year for which 11 scripts from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan have been selected.

The screening of the films will be held at the Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Star Cineplex, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Central Public Library Auditorium and Bangladesh National Museum Auditorium.

Beside physical screenings, films will also be screened on virtual platforms, for the second time. The DIFF authorities will select a few from the many submitted films and will use an online platform to cast them.

“We are confident that like the earlier events the festival would succeed in creating awareness among all concerned about the need for making and viewing good films,” said the organisers on their official Facebook page recently.

“Necessary preparations in this regard have been already underway. During the 20th DIFF, organisers expect to screen about 220 films, with participation from around 70 countries,” they added.

The organisers further informed that the fictional films from Asia with a minimum length of 70 minutes are eligible for entry in the Asian Competition section. An international jury board will adjudicate this section. The award will include a crest, certificate for the best film and also Tk 1 lakh.

The international jury committee will also select one Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Script and Best Cinematographer.

The Dhaka International Film Festival 2022 will be organised by Rainbow Film Society with the theme ‘Better Film, Better Audience and Better Society’.