Bangladeshi automotive filmmaker and content creator Saif Sarwar has received his 2nd consecutive nomination at the International Motor Film Awards (IMFA) for his film “Beyond The Machine”.
Sarwar became the first Bangladeshi filmmaker to receive an IMFA nomination in 2025 for “Go Beyond”. His latest nomination makes him a 2-time consecutive nominee.
Featuring the Porsche 718 Boxster, “Beyond The Machine” explores the creative vision behind automotive filmmaking and the work involved in shaping how a vehicle is presented on screen.
The IMFA 2026 nominations also include productions such as “Crime 101”, “The Running Man”, “TRON: Ares” and “The Rip”, alongside other films and automotive productions featuring internationally known actors and creators.
The 2026 IMFA Awards Night is scheduled for November 14 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California.
For Sarwar, attending the ceremony is now a bigger challenge than securing another nomination. He was invited to the 2025 awards night in London but could not attend because he was unable to secure financial support.
“Being nominated at IMFA for the second time makes me feel more afraid than happy,” Sarwar said. “I know how difficult it is to reach this stage, but for an automotive filmmaker from Bangladesh, turning that dream into reality is even harder.”
“I make automotive films simply because I love doing it. But in Bangladesh, automotive filmmaking still does not receive the recognition or value it deserves,” he said.
Sarwar has received a direct invitation to this year’s ceremony in Los Angeles.
“This year, the awards are taking place in Los Angeles, Hollywood. I have even received a direct invitation letter from the awards director, but my biggest fear is still the same, will I once again miss the chance to stand there and receive my certificate with my own hands?” he said.
“As a Bangladeshi creator, perhaps my biggest challenge is not getting nominated, it is actually getting there. I want to see with my own eyes the dream I started with my country’s name attached to it finally reach its destination,” he said.
In 2025, Sarwar also became the first Bangladeshi creator to receive a “Judges Honorable Mention” at the Grand Motoring Film Festival in the United States.