After days of celebrating cinema across multiple venues, the 24th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) concluded today, January 18, by recognising both emerging and established filmmakers from around the world, whose works resonated with audiences and festival juries alike.
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki was scheduled to attend the closing ceremony as the chief guest but could not be present due to unforeseen circumstances. The event began at 4pm at the National Museum, with Jalal Ahmed, chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, presiding over the ceremony.
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Following the announcement of the winners, a special musical programme was held, where director and singer-songwriter Ahmed Hasan Sunny performed a soulful set. The closing ceremony also featured a special screening of the festival’s Best Film, “Kurak”.
This year’s edition of DIFF showcased 245 films from 91 countries, including 44 films from Bangladesh.
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The Best Film Award was presented to “Kurak”, directed by Erke Dzhumakmatova and Emil Atageldiev of Kyrgyzstan. Director Erke Dzhumakmatova was present at the event to receive the award. Visibly emotional, she said, “Finally, I am receiving the award for my film. I would really like to thank the festival juries and all the cast and crew members. We have put a lot of heart and soul into this project.”
In the Asian Film Competition Section, the Best Director Award went to Emin Afandiyev for “Tənha İnsanın Monoloqu” (A Lonely Person’s Monologue). Yerlan Tuleutay won the Best Actor Award for his performance in “Abel”, while Fariba Naderi of Iran received the Best Actress Award for her role in “Shohar-E Setareh” (The Husband), directed by Ebrahim Irajzad.
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Among other awards, Dastan Madaliev and Aizada Bekbalaeva won Best Script Writer for “OT” (Burning). Jolanta Dylewska received the Best Cinematography Award for “Abel”, directed by Elzat Eskendir. A Special Jury Mention for Best Director was awarded to Isfandiyor Ghulomov for “Mohi Dar Shast” (Fish on the Hook), a Tajikistan–Iran co-production directed by Muhiddin Muzaffar.
An emotional moment unfolded in the Bangladesh Panorama Section when “The University of Chankharpul”, directed by Monirul Haque, won the FIPRESCI Award for Best Full-Length Feature Film. Although the director could not attend the ceremony due to traffic congestion, members of the cast accepted the award on his behalf.
Addressing the audience, they said, “We received the award on behalf of our director. This means a lot to us because we worked extremely hard on the film. When it premiered during the festival, the response was overwhelming; some audience members even had to sit on the floor to watch it.”
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In the Talent Section, Tanha Tabassum’s “What If” won the FIPRESCI Award for Best Short Film. “Dhet!”, directed by Ummid Ashraf, was named first runner-up, while “Ishpite”, directed by Abir Ferdous Mukhar, secured the second runner-up position.
In the Women Filmmakers Section, “Sa Likod Ng Tsapa” (Beneath the Badge), directed by Editha Caduaya of the Philippines, received a Special Mention Award. The Spiritual Film Section also gave a Special Mention to “I Lay for You to Sleep”, directed by Ali Al Hajri of Qatar.
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The Audience Award went to “Drained by Dreams”, directed by Shekh Al Mamun, a Bangladesh–South Korea co-production. The Special Audience Award was presented to “Shi Jie Ri Chu Shi” (All Quiet at Sunrise), directed by Xin Zhu of China.In the Children’s Film Section, the Best Children’s Film Badal Rahman Award was given to “Qingtong & Kuihua”, directed by Chen Kunhou of China.
