The 23rd edition of the Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) is set to commence tomorrow, January 11. The nine-day festival will run until January 19, featuring 220 feature and short films from 75 countries across 10 categories. Among them, 44 films from Bangladesh will be showcased.

Festival Director Ahmed Muztaba Zamal confirmed the details.

The opening ceremony will be held at 4:00pm tomorrow, at the National Museum's main auditorium. The event will be presided over by Jalal Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission and Executive Member of the festival committee. Information Adviser Nahid Islam will attend as the chief guest, while Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and Xu Yang, Director of the International Department of the China Film Administration, will be present as special guests.

Festival Director Ahmed Muztaba Zamal shared details of the 23rd Dhaka International Film Festival at a press conference held at Dhaka Club on Thursday afternoon.

Also present at the event were Festival Committee Chairperson Kishwar Kamal, jury board member of the Asian Competition section and actor Ilias Kanchan, Festival Committee Executive Member Jalal Ahmed, Festival Committee Member and journalist Rafiquzzaman, Masterclass Coordinator and Festival Media In-charge Bidhan Ribeiro, and Conference Director of the Women in Cinema Conference Sadia Khalid Riti.

Throughout the press conference, the organisers primarily discussed the budget constraints of the upcoming festival. Naturally, they faced questions about whether these financial challenges would impact the event. Additionally, in previous editions of the festival, numerous prominent stars from neighbouring India were in attendance. 

When inquired about, "Given the recent political shifts, would their presence be seen this time?"

In response, Masterclass Coordinator and Festival Media In-charge Bidhan Ribeiro stated, "Nothing is beyond politics. However, putting that aside, we want to highlight that six Indian films will be showcased at this festival, including 'Padatik'."

Addressing the presence of foreign delegations, he added, "From the beginning of this edition, you have heard that the festival is facing severe budget constraints. As a result, the number of delegations has been reduced. Usually, we have over a hundred foreign delegates, but this time, it will be around 40 to 50 at most."

The 23rd Dhaka International Film Festival will commence with the screening of the Chinese film "Moon Man", organisers have announced. The festival will conclude on January 19 with the Bangladeshi film "Boli".

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