Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The 12th International Short and Independent Film Festival began at the Central Public Library at Shahbagh in the capital Dhaka on December 13 with screening of three films.
Featuring over 200 films from around 30 countries, the weeklong festival will be a platform for young filmmakers who want to see themselves in global film competitions and want to take cinema ahead.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith inaugurated the festival as chief guest, while Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu spoke as special guest. The festival chairman and litterateur Hasnat Abdul Hye presided over the session. N. Rashed Chowdhury, convener of the festival committee, spoke on each aspect of the festival at the opening.
The Bangladesh Short Film Forum (BSFF) has been arranging the festival biennially since 1988.
The Bangladesh-South Korea joint venture, “The Container”, was the inaugural film, followed by Indian animated political satire, “Boons of Politics”. The Bangladeshi film narrates the hardship of a migrant who lives illegally in South Korea. The day’s last film was a Belgian monologue, “The Lobster’s Cry” — a film on a young soldier returning home from Chechnya war.
The festival includes seminars, memorial lectures, workshop and award giving ceremony at four venues — Central Public Library, National Museum, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and British Council.
BBN/SSR/SI-15Dec12-12:20 pm (BST)
