TBT DESK
Two Bangladeshi documentary projects have secured places in the final round of the Proposal Pitch category at the NHK Japan Prize 2026, bringing the country into the spotlight at the international competition organised by Japan’s national broadcaster.
The selected projects are ‘Khudi Bari’, directed by independent filmmaker Md Hasanul Huq Jacky, and ‘F Minor: Voice of Freedom’, being made by Mahafuza Aktar under the banner of Channel i.
Produced by Adamant Studios, ‘Khudi Bari’ explores the lives of people in Bangladesh’s riverine and char areas, where recurring floods and river erosion destroy homes and force families to move repeatedly.
The documentary centres on Jharna, a woman living in a char area, whose housing needs inspired architect Marina Tabassum to design a small, affordable home that can be easily constructed and relocated during natural disasters. Through her story, the film examines the impact of climate change on riverside communities and their continuing struggle for secure housing.
Jacky previously earned recognition for his documentary ‘The Story of the Dew’.
The second finalist, ‘F Minor: Voice of Freedom’, follows a five-member women’s band formed by musicians from Bangladesh’s small ethnic communities. The documentary explores their personal lives, musical journey and efforts to establish themselves as a band while pursuing independent careers.
Directed by Aktar, the film also highlights the challenges faced by young women from marginalised communities as they navigate the music industry and work towards building independent lives.
Aktar has previously received a fellowship from the Radio Netherlands Training Centre and served as a judge in a television programme-making competition organised by Germany’s Prix Jeunesse Foundation. Her earlier recognitions include Colors of Asia in 2017, One Asia in 2018 and the PMA Global Grant in 2019.
Alongside the two Bangladeshi entries, projects from Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia have also reached the six-project Proposal Pitch final.
The Japan Prize 2026 has also announced its winners in the Best Work category. Ireland’s ‘Maddy Plus Triggs Dogs with Jobs’, Taiwan’s ‘Pai Pai Typhoons Coming’, the Greece-France-Denmark co-production ‘Bugboy’ and the Denmark-Czech Republic production ‘Mr Nobody Against Putin’ received awards.
The Award of Honors went to the UK’s ‘Mixmaps the Hurry Up Sandwich’, Australia’s ‘Replica’ and the Japan-Switzerland co-production ‘Colorful: Friends Around the World’. Australia’s ‘Tales from Quarter Suburbia Moonfish’ received the Special Prize.
The Japan Prize Festival will take place in Tokyo from 16 to 19 November. The winner of the Proposal Pitch category will be announced at the awards ceremony on the final day.
Organised by NHK since 1965, the Japan Prize aims to encourage the production of educational programmes. This year’s competition received 413 entries and proposals from 59 countries and regions.
