22nd Dhaka International Film Festival wraps up

 
The 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) ended on Sunday at the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum in Dhaka marking celebrities, masterclasses, and premieres of Bangladeshi and international films.

State minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat was present as chief guest while Humayun Kabir Khandakar, Aziz Khan, Kishwar Kamal, M Hamid, Kamruzzaman, Mokammel Hoissain, Sharmili Thakur and Majed Majidi were present as special guests at the closing ceremony, which was chaired by lawmaker Md Shahriar Alam and moderated by the DIFF director Ahmed Muztaba Zamal.

Mohammed Ali Arafat, state minister for Information and Broadcasting, said, "International film festivals like this one will ensure the exchange of views amongst people across cultures, which, in effect, will make the society more optimist. While it has an impact on our society, it also helps our local industry flourish.”

"Moreover, the film festival also serves as a protest against bigotry, prejudice and harmful business practices. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is proud and honoured to be a part of this film festival.”

Filmmaker Majid Majidi expressed immense delight at being part of the event. He emphasised that cinema serves as a powerful medium to narrate the stories of people and society, particularly those whose voices often remain unheard. Majidi expressed hope that in the future, Bangladeshi films will receive well-deserved international recognition.

At the closing ceremony, 22 awards were handed over in different categories.

In Asian Film Competition Section, ‘Dov’ directed by Muhiddin Muzaffar won Best Script Award, ‘Mighty Afrin - In the Time of Floods’ directed by Angelos Rallis won Best Cinematography Award, Badema won Best Actress Award for ‘The Cord of Life’ directed by Qiao Sixue, Anjan Dutt won Best Actor Award for his directorial venture ‘Chalchitra Ekhon’, Jagath Manuwarna won Best Director Award for the film ‘Rahas Kiyana Kandu’, ‘The Cord of Life’ directed by Qiao Sixue won Best Film Award, ‘Baqyt’ directed by Askar Uzabayev won Special Jury Mention and Afrin Khanom bagged Special Jury Mention Actress Award for the film ‘Mighty Afrin - In the Time of Floods’ directed by Angelos Rallis.

In Spiritual Film Section category, ‘There and Back’ directed by Oleg Asadulin won Best Feature Film Award, ‘Kunanfinda: The Land of Death’ directed by Hansel Leyva Fanego won Best Documentary Award and ‘Surot’ directed by Golam Rabbani won Special Mention Award.

In Women Filmmakers Section, ‘Junks & Dolls’ directed by Manijeh Hekmat won Best Feature Film Award, ‘Pasang: In the Shadow of Everest’ directed by Nancy Svendsen won Best Documentary Award, Gyeongmu NOH bagged Best Director Award for the film ‘How to Get Your Man Pregnant’, ‘Mukti’ directed by Chaitali Somadder won Special Mention Award.

In Bangladesh Panorama: Full-length Section, ‘Sabittri’ directed by Pantho Prosad won FIPRESCI Award.

Three short films were awarded under Bangladesh Panorama: Talent Section. ‘Laila’ directed by Baishaki Somadder won FIPRESCI Award, ‘Inafi’ directed by Shuvashis Sinha won the 1st runner-up Award and ‘Antohin Pathe’ directed by Ziaul Hoque Raju won the 2nd runner-up Award.

In Children Film Sessions, ‘Pravas the Tour’ directed by Vipul Sharma won Best Children Film Badal Rahman award, Mujib: The Making of a Nation directed by Shyam Benegal won Audience Award and Pore Autumn Flies directed by Abhijit SriDas won Special Audience Award.

Rainbow Film Society has been organising Dhaka International Film Festival since 1992 with the theme Better Film, Better Audience, Better Society.