With the theme Films in Women’s Eyes, the 1st International Women’s Film Festival commenced on March 10, organised by Bangladesh Women’s Film Society in the capital. Meher Afroz, the minister of women and children affairs inaugurated the festival as the chief guest while Shamim Akther, renowed women filmmaker was graced as special guest.
In the opening day, Bangladesh Women’s Film Society honored six celebrated women filmmakers of the country including Shanewaj Cacoly, Shamim Akther, Kohinoor Akhter Suchanda, Nargis Akter, Arifa Parvin Moushumi and Samia Jaman.
Today is the last day of the event and fourteen films will be screened at the two venues.
Salma by Kim Loninotto and Princess56 by Ya Ting Hsu at 11am, Kokhono Megh, Kokhono Bristi by Mousumi and The Dark Outside by Darin J Sallam at 2pm and Rani Kuthir Baki Itihash by Samia Jaman at 5pm, will be screened at the Public Library Auditorium.
At the National Museum Auditorium, A Life Suspended by Kazuyo Minamide, Haraka Haraka by Elena Allesia Negriolli, Scattered Windows, Connected Doors by Ziba Bhagwagar & Rohi Dixit will be screened at 11am, Afghan Women behind The Wheel by Sahraa Karimi and Hush…Girls Don’t Scream by Pouran Derakhshandeh at 2pm, Island Home Country by Jeni Thornley, The Mirror Never Lies by Kamila Andini, The Bare-foot Leader by Zohreh Zamani and Playing The Taar by Roya Sadat at 5pm.
The story of Hush…Girls Don’t Scream, an internationally acclaimed Iranian film follows an eight year old girl named Shirin who faces neglect and indifference from her parents as she is abused and ravaged by an event that marks her for years. The story unravels as the characters are faced with their own battles with justice, retribution and morality.
International Women Film Festival is the country’s first event which aims to promote women as writers, directors, actors, and producers exploring the aesthetic values of films and developing interest in the technical skills of film video and media arts.
