The 23rd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF), showcasing 220 movies from 75 countries in five venues across the capital, officially kicked off on Saturday in the main auditorium of the capital’s National Museum.
The festival this year is observing 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China, and the inauguration ceremony on Saturday was joined by the Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the Interim Government Md Nahid Islam.
Prior to inaugurating the festival, the adviser, along with the special guests including Yao Wen, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh and Xu Yang, Director of the International Department of the Chinese Film Administration, inaugurated the poster exhibition corner of Chinese films outside the auditorium. Festival Committee Executive Member and Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Jalal Ahmed presided over the opening ceremony; which was also joined by the face of the festival, the DIFF Director Ahmed Muztaba Zamal, alongside the festival committee Chairperson Kishwar Kamal and the Asian Competition Section Jury Board member, veteran actor Ilias Kanchan, reports UNB.
With an enthralling musical performance of Bangladesh's renowned band Joler Gaan, the 23rd edition began with Xu Yang’s gratitude note, who thanked the Rainbow Film Society authority for inviting him to the Dhaka International Film Festival this year, and the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh for organising this year's China Film Week, where popular Chinese films are being showcased.
Ambassador Yao Wen said: “Dhaka International Film Festival is a medium of vibrant cultural exchange between Bangladesh and different countries across the world. Besides this flagship film festival in Dhaka, various events have started in China to celebrate 50 years of China's diplomatic relations with Bangladesh.”
The Chinese Ambassador informed at the inauguration ceremony that a total of 20 unique and special Chinese films will be screened at this year’s Dhaka International Film Festival, and 15 Chinese film professionals will engage in in-depth interactions with Bangladeshi audiences, as part of the DIFF 2025 activities.
Observing a minute of silence to commemorate the martyrs of the anti-fascist movement in July and urging film enthusiasts to highlight Bangladesh’s history, culture and struggles in the world forum, adviser Nahid Islam stated that the Dhaka International Film Festival will serve as an important medium of cultural exchange. The advisor mentioned the role of cinema in the development of Bangladesh's art and culture, stating that cinema is not merely a medium of entertainment; it is also a significant driver of social change.
Regarding the July mass uprising, Nahid said that this uprising played an important role in establishing democracy in Bangladesh. He urged filmmakers to create films about the reality and spirit of the July mass uprising.
Jalal Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission and Executive Member of the Festival Committee said, "This flagship film festival of Bangladesh is going to celebrate its silver jubilee soon, and If the festival is listed for regular allocation of funds from the Ministry of Finance and Information and Broadcasting, there will be no more worries about the festival every year."
With China being the country of focus this year, the 2025 edition of DIFF then officially premiered its maiden film ‘Moon Man’ (directed by Zhang Chiyu) at 7 pm. From Sunday, the festival will continue screenings at the Bangladesh National Museum; Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA); Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), Dhanmondi; Green University of Bangladesh and North South University in the capital.
The films will be screened under the Asian Competition Section, Retrospective Section, Bangladesh Panorama, Wide Angle, Cinema of the World, Children's Film, Spiritual Films, Short and Independent Film and Women's Film Session.
As part of the DIFF 2025, its flagship segment ‘Women in Cinema Conference’ will be held tomorrow and will continue till January 13 at Samson Lounge of Dhaka Club. Central Women's University Vice Chancellor Dr Parveen Hasan will be present as the chief guest on the opening day.
With film critic-journalist Sadia Khalid Reeti as the Conference Director, the conference is being chaired by DIFF Chairperson Kishwar Kamal. ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir and Chinese film director and writer Zhang Yudi will be special guests at the conference.
Commemorating the martyrs of the July-August 2024 Mass Uprising, 7 short films will be screened at this year’s DIFF on January 12, 15, 16 and 17. The venues for these screenings are: the Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the National Museum, Green University of Bangladesh Auditorium, the National Art Gallery Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and the Auditorium of North South University, respectively.
Apart from this, a unique painting exhibition titled ‘Perspective’ is being organized at the La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) on January 9-17, as part of the festival. It will include works by both new and veteran artists.
The Masterclass will be held for the third time at the Cineplex Auditorium of the National Museum on January 17 and 18.
The closing ceremony of this year’s DIFF will be held on January 19 in the main auditorium of the National Museum.
