A three-day film festival titled “Ekal-Sekal” has begun at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), bringing classics from the golden era of Bangladeshi cinema together with notable contemporary productions.
Organised by BSA with support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the festival will continue until Tuesday. Its selection features older films representing the history and heritage of the country’s cinema alongside recent productions.
The festival was inaugurated yesterday afternoon at the National Art Gallery Auditorium.
Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury, MP, attended the programme as chief guest, while State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam, MP, and actress Kohinoor Akhtar Suchanda attended as special guests. Filmmaker Tanim Noor was present as an honoured guest.
BSA Director General Rezauddin Stalin delivered the welcome address, while Deepak Kumar Goswami, director of the academy’s Drama and Film Department, delivered the introductory remarks. Academy Secretary Mohammad Zakir Hossain gave the vote of thanks.
Speaking at the inauguration, Nitai Roy Chowdhury said additional screenings of the festival’s films would be arranged depending on audience interest. He also announced plans to screen films at the National Theatre Hall and organise a jatra festival in the coming autumn.
He said there were plans to continue staging jatra and theatre productions alongside film screenings. According to the minister, young people need opportunities for healthy entertainment and cultural engagement alongside their studies.
He noted that the prolonged closure of cinemas and the lack of adequate opportunities for cultural activities have contributed to frustration among a section of the country’s youth. Against this backdrop, he stressed the importance of promoting sports, music, dance and cinema, as well as traditional Bengali forms such as Bhatiyali, Murshidi, Kabigan and Baul music.
In his welcome address, Rezauddin Stalin said BSA would continue to support and encourage young filmmakers, adding that the academy’s doors would remain open to those interested in filmmaking.
He expressed hope that the participation of emerging filmmakers could help revive the golden era of Bangladeshi cinema. He also emphasised the need for films rooted in life and driven by artistic values.
The festival opened yesterday at 6:00pm with Mejbaur Rahman Sumon’s “Roid”, followed by Zahir Raihan’s timeless classic “Jibon Theke Neya” at 8:00pm.
Today, Khan Ataur Rahman’s “Abar Tora Manush Ho” will be screened at 5:30pm, followed by Mohammad Nuruzzaman’s “Mastul” at 8:00pm.
On the final day tomorrow, Amjad Hossain’s “Dui Poishar Alta” will be screened at 5:30pm, while Akash Haque’s “The University of Chankharpul” will close the festival at 8pm.
The three-day festival is open to all.
