Filmmaker Joyanta Gayen’s short film titled Branches of Solace was screened at the 22nd international Mini Film Festival in Malaysia on Friday.

The film was screened at the Cinematography Studio, faculty of applied and creative arts, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, said a press release.

Following the screening, Joyanta Gayen represented Bangladesh in an interactive question and answer session with global audiences and cinema experts.

According to the festival’s international screening committee, Joyanta Gayen’s work stood out among numerous global submissions due to its storytelling structure and humanitarian message.

In recognition of its psychological philosophy and artistic craftsmanship, the committee honoured the film with a place in its ‘non-competitive screening’, special showcase, segment.

​Spanning 9 minutes and 50 seconds, Branches of Solace delicately explores the subtle psychology and deep emotions of a man labelled ‘mad’ by modern society.

Driven by basic survival instincts, he occasionally visits the city for work, yet finds himself completely alienated by the chaotic urban landscape. Seeking true comfort, he isolates himself on a barren, uninhabited river island, known locally as char.

In this empty space, where the growth of vegetation is practically impossible, he passionately plants trees and obsessively nurtures them. This unique act of care eventually evolves into his ultimate sanctuary of peace, mental stability, and solace.

Joyanta Gayen said, ‘Representing my country and my personal creative philosophy on an international platform is an absolute honour. The selection team truly understood the core essence of my film, which is incredibly encouraging for an independent director.’

Through this project, I wanted to contrast the chaotic noise of urban life with the silent, profound peace a lonely man finds within nature’s lap, he added.