Entertainment Desk:

Films, masterclasses, and premieres of fantastic Bangladeshi and international films marked the grand conclusion of the 23rd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF). The festivities culminated with the highly anticipated screening of Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury’s “Boli” (The Wrestler), a celebrated film that won an award at the 2023 Busan Film Festival and was Bangladesh’s official submission for the 97th Academy Awards.

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki served as the chief guest, with Jalal Ahmed, chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, presiding over the event. The festival concluded with a grand ceremony at the Bangladesh National Museum Monday.

Ilias Kanchan, a juror in the Asian Film Competition section of DIFF, and Azmeri Haque Badhan, a jury member in the Women Filmmaker Section, attended the event.

While talking at the event, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki revealed that he once participated as a volunteer in order to watch movies at the festival. “About 30 years ago. I was a volunteer at this festival. I became a volunteer so that I could watch movies for free as I didn’t have money.”

The adviser emphasised that it is his core responsibility to ensure not only a proper festival but also that our country becomes a natural hub for a culture that attracts the youth. However, he has too little time on his hands to achieve all of this.

“One thing I can tell you is that I will be an excellent adviser if I become the next elected Cultural Minister. Monday, I know where the problems lie and how to address them. Regarding our flagship Bangladeshi film festival, we lack a permanent venue, advanced projection technology, and a proper sound system. Now that I am here, I can at least initiate the process.” The adviser also talked about allocating a permanent budget to local festivals.

This year’s DIFF featured 220 films from 75 countries across 10 categories. Among them, 44 films from Bangladesh were showcased.

The closing event unveiled the winners in various categories, with the Best Film Award presented to “Yakshanba” (Sunday), directed by Shokir Kholikov (Uzbekistan). The Best Director Award in the Asian Film Competition Section was given to Haofeng Xu and Junfeng Xu for “Men Qian Bao Di” (100 Yards). Rayan Sarlak received the Best Actor Award for his role in “Tabestan-E Haman Saal” (Summer Time), while the Best Actress Award went to Diman Zandi from Iran for her performance in “Melody”, directed by Behrouz Sebt Rasoul.

Other notable awards included Best Script Writer to Takato Nishi and Noriko Yuasa for “Performing Kaoru’s Funeral” (Japanese film), and Best Cinematography to Dilsat Canan for the film “Demo Ke Pelê Gozan Benî Zer” (When The Walnut Leaves Turn Yellow), directed by Mehmet Ali Konar (Turkey). A Special Jury Mention for Best Director went to Mahmoud Kalari for “Tabestan-E Haman Saal” (Summer Time) (Iran).

In the Women Filmmakers Section, “Scarlet”, directed by Maria Bobeva (Bulgaria), won the Best Short Film Award, while the Best Feature Film Award went to “Kumva, Ce Qui Vient Du Silence” (Kumva, Which Comes from Silence), directed by Sarah Mallegol (France). Agustina Sánchez Gavier won Best Director for the film “Nuestra Sombra” (Our Own Shadow) (Argentina, Germany), and a Special Mention went to “Takoi Imenno Den” (Not Just Any Day), directed by Klavdiya Korshunova (Moldova, Russia).

In the Bangladesh Panorama section, “Priyo Maloti”, directed by Shankha Dasgupta, received the FIPRESCI Award for Best Full-Length Feature Film. In the Talent Section, “Lazy Noon” by Monon Muntaka won the FIPRESCI Award for Best Short Film, with “Phulera Poshak Porena”, directed by Aasif U Hamid, as the first runner-up, and “Poitrik Bhita” (Hereditary Homestead), directed by Mobarak Hossain, as the second runner-up.

The Spiritual Film Section awarded “Prishelec” (The Alien) directed by Ivan Sosnin (Russian), as the Best Feature Film, and “Monte Clerigo”, directed by Luis Campos (Portugal), as the Best Short Film.

A Special Mention went to “Swaha (In the Name of Fire)”, directed by Abhilash Sharma (India). The Audience Award went to “Padatik”, directed by Srijit Mukherji (India), and a Special Audience Award was given to “Guardia de Honor” (The Guardian of Honor)”, directed by Joselito Altarejos (Philippines).

In the Children’s Film section, the Best Children Film Badal Rahman Award was given to “Kytalyktaakh kyrdalym” (Where the White Cranes Dance), directed by Michael Lukachevsky (Russia).