Bangladesh has secured a major achievement at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2026, as political thriller "Master", directed by Rezwan Shahriar Sumit, won the Big Screen Award in the festival’s prestigious Big Screen Competition section.

According to festival authorities, "Master" was selected as the winner by the jury’s unanimous decision from among 12 films competing in the category. Along with the honour, the film received prize money of €15,000 (approximately Tk 21 lakh).

In addition, the distributor that acquired the film’s Dutch distribution rights will receive an extra €15,000 in support from the festival, a move expected to further strengthen the film’s prospects in the European market.

The jury described "Master" as a universal story about a man’s struggle to hold on to his moral compass. The film subtly and multilayeredly portrays how the seductive and destructive forces of power and capitalism gradually transform an idealistic individual. Amid colourful visuals, vibrant locations, and a range of realistic supporting characters, the lead actor compellingly captures the protagonist’s moral conflict, ultimately revealing the all-consuming nature of power.

The Big Screen Competition jury board comprised Jan-Willem van Eijk, Sara Ishaq, Luc Luca, Chris Oosterom, and Mila Schlingemann.