Curtain rises on third Bangladesh Film Festival

The curtain on the third Bangladesh Film Festival was lifted on Friday at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Segun Bagicha in the capital. The 15-day film festival will take place across the country.

The festival is featuring 36 films, which will have screenings at all the branches of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in 64 districts. Along with the film screenings, the festival will feature master classes and open discussions that will focus on films. A film appreciation course will be held in 10 divisions, too.

Today, on the third day of the festival, Raihan Rafi-directed Liberation War-based film, inspired by true events ‘Damal’, will be screened at 4:00 pm. The film showcased some of the historical chain of events by the legendary Shadhin Bangla Football team which was formed to create public opinion in favour of the country’s independence and to raise funds for the freedom fighters. The cast of the film includes Bidya Sinha Saha Mim, Shariful Raaz, Siam ahmed, Shahnaz Sumi and Intekhab Dinar, among others.

The opening ceremony of the festival was held at the Main Auditorium of the National Theatre hall of Shilpakala Academy on February 17. Presided over by Director General of BSA Liaquat Ali Lucky, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid was present as the chief guest, while film exponent Haider Rizvi, actor Ilias Kanchan, and filmmaker Shamim Akhter were present as special guests at the programme. Secretary of the BSA, Salauddin Ahmed, delivered a welcome speech at the programme.

“Back in the day, we witnessed a golden age of Bangla films. However, the local film industry is struggling nowadays and cinema halls are being demolished to make way for commercial complexes. Steps should be taken to support the local film industry,” said KM Khalid.

Nurul Alam Atique-directed ‘Laal Moroger Jhuti’ was screened on the opening day of the festival.

The films have been divided into five different categories. The categories are recent films, films directed by female directors, Liberation War-based films, internationally acclaimed films, and legendary classic films.

The festival will also have an award ceremony, where awards will be given in seven categories. Along with awards and certificates, authorities will hand over an honorarium as well.

The film festival is open to all and will end on March 3.