The 18th edition of Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) officially began on Saturday. The inaugural program was held in the main auditorium of National Museum with a cultural presentation by Monipuri Theatre.
The slogan for the festival is “Better Film, Better Audience and Better Society.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr AK Abdul Momen officially inaugurated the program. In his speech, he remarked that film-makers should be making more films on the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, to highlight the issue in front of the entire world. This would help to resolve the issue even sooner.
He also said: "Films should be made to focus on the lives of expatriate Bangladeshis."
The Minister also said that cinema halls will be opened in all 64 districts of Bangladesh.
He said: "Through Dhaka International Film Festival we must help create an international platform for local film-makers."
He expressed hope that the festival will help enrich the art form of cinema in Bangladesh by screening good quality films.
The State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, who is also the chief patron of DIFF, said in his speech: "The 19th Dhaka International Film Festival will be dedicated to the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Therefore, the preparations for next year's festival will begin right away."
The State Minister also asked for advice from the international guests of the festival for making the event even better.
He said: "This festival will be made even bigger next year."
Rainbow Film Society has been organizing the Dhaka International Film Festival since 1992.
This year, Rainbow Film Society is going to screen about 220 films from 74 countries. The movies will be divided under several categories, such as, Asian Cinema, Retrospective, Bangladesh Panorama, World Cinema, Children Films, Women Filmmakers, Short and Independent Films and Spiritual Movies.
All the films screening will be held at the Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Central Public Library Auditorium and National Museum Auditorium, Madhumita Cinema Hall and Star Cineplex.
Furthermore, the 6th Dhaka International Conference on Women in Cinema began on Sunday as part of the festival. It is being held at Samson Lounge of Dhaka Club, and scheduled to end on Monday.
Throughout the festival, film-makers, critics, journalists, officials from embassies of different countries, and members of various film societies will share their experiences with film enthusiasts, journalists and young film-makers.
DIFF aims at creating a better understanding of the films of the world in an atmosphere that appreciates film culture. The festival also aims to move towards excellence of the motion picture art and industry in Bangladesh.
The festival will continue till January 19.