Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana on Saturday said that the Bangladesh Film Archive will work to collect and preserve audio-visual documents related to the July uprising.
She made the remarks during a discussion held in the capital’s Agargaon, marking the 47th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Film Archive.
Mahbuba Farjana said that as a traditional and specialized institution, the Bangladesh Film Archive has been fulfilling its responsibility of preserving important visual and image-based records.
Expressing optimism about the future, she noted that with advancements in technology, the capabilities of the Archive would expand further. She also highlighted plans to enhance and modernize film vault management through the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment.
The secretary paid tribute to those who lost their lives, sustained injuries, or were maimed during the July uprising, recognizing their invaluable contributions.
She reiterated that the Archive will actively collect and preserve all relevant audio-visual materials associated with the uprising.
Encouraging participation, she called upon talented artistes and individuals with a deep understanding of film to collaborate in ensuring that future generations can learn about the sacrifices made to establish a discrimination-free society in Bangladesh.
She further noted that the Bangladesh Film Archive is a member of both the International Federation of Film Archives and the International Association of Audio-Visual Archives, and maintains active relationships with these organizations.
The secretary emphasized the importance of exchanging knowledge and experiences with international institutions to strengthen the Archive’s capacity.
Chairing the event, Bangladesh Film Archive Director General Md Abdul Jalil stated that the Archive is committed to collecting and preserving a wide range of both domestic and international films.
“We have enhanced our efforts to digitally preserve these films so that future generations can learn about our culture and heritage,” he said.
He praised the fearless and significant role played by the country’s proud youth and Generation Z in the 2024 mass uprising of students and citizens, describing it as a historic chapter in Bangladesh’s journey towards a just and discrimination-free society.
“We have undertaken a priority project to collect and preserve audio-visual records of this mass uprising for future generations. The project is currently awaiting final approval,” he added.
As part of this project, Jalil explained that in addition to producing a documentary on the July uprising, a museum and interactive archive would be established. Relevant information, including films and footage from both domestic and international sources, would be collected and preserved.
He also mentioned that advanced technology and equipment would be installed to modernize the preservation and exhibition of these materials. “I firmly believe that this initiative will significantly strengthen the institutional capacity of the Bangladesh Film Archive,” he said.