Graceful presence of a number of seasoned film makers, academicians, and development activists marked the inauguration of the two-day international conference on “Women in Cinema”–part of the 13th Dhaka International Film Festival yesterday.
Organised by the Rainbow Film Society, the programme took place at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban at the University of Dhaka.
Renowned human rights activist Khushi Kabir presided over the session and presented a keynote paper on “Filmmakers who are civil rights activists.
A number of foreign film makers attended the conference including Afghanistani filmmaker and lecturer Sahraa Karimi, Clementine Ederveen, a Dutch film producer, writer and director.
While addressing, Ederveen focused on the roles played by women in the world of cinema.
Robyn Hugan, an Australian filmmaker exhibited her two short films. The films highlighted Malaysian and Indonesian refugees seeking refuge in Australia because of their vulnerable social and economic state.
In the following session Prof Kaberi Gayen of department of Journalism and Mass Communication, DU, presented a key note paper on “War, Women and Cinema.”
The session was inaugurated by Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, vice-chancellor of DU while country director of Action aid Farah Kabir was the convener. Mofidul Haque, trustee of Bangladesh Liberation War Museum was also present at the session. Women and Gender Studies department organised a cultural programme.
The conference was held in cooperation with Department of Women and Gender Studies, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and Department of Television and Film Studies of University f Dhaka, supported by Actionaid and Manusher Jonno Foundation.
Today’s discussion will be held on “Bangladeshi Women Filmmakers: Challenges and Realities” by Shamim Akhtar.
A keynote papers will be presented on “Women and New Trends in Cinema” by Nurkurniati Aisyah Dewi-Nia Dinata, an Indonesian Filmmaker and activist while Giti Ara Nasreen, Prof of Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, DU will discuss on “Gender Representation in Bangladeshi Cinema.”
Around 40 films directed by national and international women filmmakers will be screened at the American Centre in Dhanmondi in the capital as a part of the 13th DIFF.
