The 23rd edition of the largest Bangla-language film festival, “Amar Bhasar Cholocchitro 1431”, kicked off at the TSC premises of Dhaka University in a vibrant atmosphere on Saturday.
Organized by the Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) since 2002, the festival commemorates the Language Movement martyrs while promoting the advancement of Bangladeshi cinema.
On Sunday, the second day of the festival, Kittonkhola by Abu Sayeed will be screened at 10am.
At 1pm, a short film segment will showcase “Waiting for Cinema” by Saidi Hasan Rabbi, “Khiyang” (in the Marma language) by Ripon Kumar Das Dhrub, and “Dandkak” by Zayed Siddiqui.
The screenings will continue with “Rickshaw Girl” by Amitabh Reza Chowdhury and “Kajalrekha” by Giasuddin Selim.
Additionally, at 4pm, the first episode of the festival’s film discussion series, “Yukti Takko Gappo”, will take place.
The session will explore the theme “Searching for the ‘Mainstream’ in Contemporary Bengali Cinema.”
Director Raihan Rafi, writer-director Laboni Ashrafi, and actor Ashfaq Nipun will join as discussants.
The festival opened at 10am on Saturday with the screening of “Arunodayer Agnisakshi”, directed by Subhash Dutta.
Other films shown on the first day included “Bhat De” by Amjad Hossain, “Live from Dhaka” by Abdullah Mohammad Saad, and “Peyar Subas” by Nurul Alam Atiq.
Over the course of the five-day festival, 19 full-length and three short films will be screened, with four films showcased each day.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, Assistant Professor of the Department of Television, Film, and Photography and DUFS moderator Habiba Rahman, Director of Bangladesh Film Archive Mohammad Abdul Jalil, and other distinguished guests.
Speaking at the event, Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan said: “Events like this send a strong message of unity and resilience, reminding us that despite challenges, we stand together, upholding our cultural identity.”
DUFS moderator and Assistant Professor Habiba Rahman emphasized the power of language and cinema, saying: “He who has a language has power — not a power of domination, but of creativity and intellectual practice. This festival serves as a guiding force for Bangla-language cinema across the world.”
DUFS General Secretary Apurba Das Shuvro also shared his thoughts: “The enthusiasm, dedication, and creativity of our members have inspired me since my first year, and that fascination remains undiminished even today.”
