TBT REPORT

The fourth Bangladesh Short and Documentary Film Festival 2025 is set to commence tommrow on May 27. Organised by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the five-day festival spans eight divisional cities, showcasing a diverse array of short and documentary films that reflect the rich tapestry of Bangladeshi culture and storytelling.

In a press conference held at the National Theatre Seminar Room of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy yesterday, Mohammad Wares Hossain, secretary and acting director general of the Academy, announced the festival’s details. He emphasised the festival’s role in promoting the growth and development of the film industry, as well as in fostering an appreciation for quality short and documentary films among audiences nationwide.

The festival received an overwhelming response, with 322 film submissions from across the country. After careful consideration by the selection committee, 89 films were chosen for screening—60 fictional shorts and 29 documentaries. These films were selected based on their artistic merit, storytelling prowess, and relevance to contemporary social issues.

To recognise outstanding contributions, the festival will present awards in several categories. In both fiction and documentary divisions, accolades will be given to Best Film, Best Director, and Special Jury Mention.

Additionally, four special awards are to be conferred across both categories: Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound Design, and Best Production Design. The Best Film award carries a cash prize of TK 150,000, Best Director will receive TK 100,000, and Special Jury Mention will be awarded TK 50,000. Each special award recipient will receive TK 30,000.

All participating filmmakers received certificates and festival memorabilia in recognition of their contributions. Furthermore, on May 30, a day-long masterclass on “Sound and Cinematography” will be conducted at the National Theatre Archive Room. Renowned professionals Nahid Masud and Rashed Zaman will lead the session, providing invaluable insights to 30 selected filmmakers.

The festival’s inauguration will be graced by filmmaker Anam Biswas, who will officially open the event. The closing ceremony is scheduled to feature Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostafa Sarwar Farooki as the chief guest. Both ceremonies were presided over by Mohammad Wares Hossain.

Under the leadership of Fayez Zahir, director of the Department of Drama and Film, and coordinated by Assistant Director Md Ikramul Islam, the festival successfully brought together filmmakers, critics, and audiences to celebrate the art of short and documentary filmmaking. The event not only highlighted the creative talents within Bangladesh but also underscored the importance of cinema as a medium for social commentary and cultural expression.