Entertainment Desk:
Bangladeshi short film "Darkak" has earned the Special Critics' Award at
the 10th Shimla International Film Festival, India.
Directed by emerging filmmaker Zayed Siddiqui, the festival took place
from August 16 to 18 at the historic Gaiety Theatre Cultural Complex in
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, where Siddiqui personally received the
award on its concluding day.
Previously, "Darkak" also vied for the Best International Short Film
Award at the festival.
Earlier on August 18, the award-winning filmmakers were honoured
during the closing ceremony by the festival's chief guest, Himachal
Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, according to a press release
issued by the production company.
Bollywood actress Seema Biswas and festival director Pushpa Raj
Thakur were also prominent attendees. The festival, organised by
Himalayan Velocity in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh
Department of Language and Culture and the Indian Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, is a prestigious annual event.
Inspired by a short story by noted Bangladeshi fictionist Shahidul Zahir,
Siddiqui penned the screenplay and dialogues for the film, and
produced it. The film stars Ekushey Padak-winning actor Jayanta
Chattopadhyay in the lead role, alongside Aminur Rahman, Iqbal

Hossain, Tuntuni Sobhan, Fazlul Haque, Tahua Labib Tura, and ABM
Saeedul Haque.
Reflecting on the achievement, Siddiqui stated, "This award is the result
of two years of dedication and hard work from the entire cast and
crew. It will serve as a great motivation for us to continue our work."
Adding to its success, "Darkak" has secured global distribution deals
with Australia-based Screen Scope and US-based Seven Palms
Entertainment, expanding its reach to international audiences.
The film has also been selected for three notable film festivals across
three different countries. "Darkak" will be screened at the 15th Indian
Film Festival of Melbourne in Australia and the 13th DC South Asian
Film Festival in the United States.
The short film, one of only 12 projects selected at the Indian Film
Festival of Melbourne, will be available exclusively to Australian
audiences on the festival's online platform, IFFM365, from August 15 to
30.
Additionally, it will compete for the Best Short Jury and Audience
Awards at the DC South Asian Film Festival, held from September 13 to
15 in Washington, DC. After its screening, the film will be accessible on
the festival's online platform, Eventine, from September 16 to 30,
exclusively for US viewers.
So far, "Darkak" has been selected for nine film festivals in seven
countries, including the 17th Bangladesh International Short and
Independent Film Festival 2024, the 12th Indo-German Film Week 2024
in Berlin, the 7th South Asian Short Film Festival 2024 in Kolkata, and
the Round the Frame Film Competition 2024 in India.