Singer/songwriter Quazi Krishnokoli Islam is participating in the Marché du Film 2020, through IEFTA's collaboration with Dhaka Doc Lab and IFIB. Her project, NOC, will be featured in the Cannes Docs Spotlighted Projects.
Krishnokoli told Dhaka Tribune Showtime her project is currently in development phase.
"The story is about single mothers in Bangladesh," she said. "I want to tell the world how we struggle. We're not even aware of what this label encapsulates."
She thanked IFIB head and popular TV personality Samia Zaman, and Dhaka Doc Lab director Tareq Ahmed for their support in her new venture. The project was selected for Dhaka to Cannes program, which has been running since 2017. But unfortunately, Cannes Film Festival is taking place virtually this year for the coronavirus.
"I'm sad that we won't be able to physically join the festival this year," she said. "It makes a world of difference in terms of effective communication. I somehow always had this bad luck with international travel."
Tarek Ahmed said: "Doc was a neglected section in Cannes. This year they revamped it with 114 decision makers, inviting filmmakers to numerous workshops, seminars pithing, training, meeting etc. We are hopeful that IEFTA will continue to help us build capacity in various fields of documentary filmmaking"
For the 5th consecutive year, IEFTA, a Monaco based non-governmental organization, is partnering with the Marché du Film to provide 6 talented filmmakers from 5 different emerging regions the opportunity to participate in the first-ever online Cannes film market to develop their projects and connect with top industry professionals.
The filmmakers won't be physically going to France, but they will still get the market experience with virtual booths and pavilions, video meetings, conferences, panels, workshops and online screenings.
Other participants in this year’s IEFTA Global Film Expression program include:
· Ali El Arabi from Egypt, is a documentary director and producer based in Cairo. Ali was selected for participation in the Marché du Film 2020 through IEFTA's collaboration with the El Gouna Film Festival’s Cinegouna Springboard Platform. He will be participating in the Producer’s Network and his project, Captains of Za’atari will feature in the Cannes Docs Spotlighted Projects.
· Arun Bhattarai is a documentary filmmaker from Bhutan, selected for participation in the Marché du Film 2020 through IEFTA's collaboration with Dhaka Doc Lab. His project, Gross National Happiness, will feature in the Cannes Docs Spotlighted Projects as well.
· Daniela Repas is a Bosnian born visual artist based in Portland, Oregon, selected for participation in the Marche du Film 2020 through IEFTA's partnership with the Princess Grace Foundation USA. Daniella is working on her first feature-length documentary that will mix live-action filmmaking with animation.
· Semagngeta Aychiluhem is an award-winning producer/director based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, selected for IEFTA’s From Addis to Cannes initiative at IEFTA’s annual GFE Conference in Ethiopia in December 2019.
· Henok Mebratu is a self-taught filmmaker born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, participating in the Marche du Film’s Producer’s Network with his full service production company, Action Media & Communication. This is Henok’s second time participating in IEFTA’s GFE program.
IEFTA will, for the second year, sponsor a cash award of 10,000€ given to one of the 32 docs-in-progress from 8 countries participating in the Marché’s ‘Docs-in-Progress Showcases at the Doc Corner’ program.This year marks the 14th anniversary of IEFTA-supported initiatives.
The singer turned film-maker released a new song on June 12, called Prakrito Hoye Bachi. NOC is her first ever feature film project.
