"The budget for our film was a mere 680 taka. In one room, and in two days, my first directorial 'Anger' was made, and here we are." Showrov Kamal Chowdhury said to the crowd before the screenings began.

It was the 7th day of the Dhaka International Film Festival and the evening was about the screening of 7 short films, under the segment 'Bangladesh Panorama'. The segment is an initiative to promote the works of Bangladeshi filmmakers made during the time period between 2021 and 2022. Of a total 30 movies under the segment, seven short films under 10 minutes were screened yesterday evening, in the Sufia Kamal Auditorium of National Museum premises, in the presence of the films' directors and a houseful crowd. 

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Sifat Nusrat, a student of ULAB, explained how a few friends gathered to make her film 'Tulika' for the film festival when the plotline came to them amidst a friendly adda. Whereas Bangladeshi born and raised filmmaker, UK resident Mashroor Parvez told the tales of his feature films in UK and Bangladesh.

Film crews speaking about their films. Photo: Star

 Some with years of experience, while others completely new, the directors spoke about their films before the commencement of screenings. Once the airing began, the spectators sat attuned to watch each film play one by one, with themes of Covid, human trafficking, inner demons, and friendship prevalent in the contents. Interestingly enough, the directors themselves were present as actors in almost all the films. The short films shown included Haghore (An era of homelessness), Tei (She), Groho Grostho (The Life Line), Bonsai, Tulika, Anger, and Your Eyes.

The category of Bangladesh Panorama shines through with more short films, and movies competing for three prizes up for grabs by Bangladeshi filmmakers. With 252 movies from 20 countries on display, the Dhaka International Film Festival 2023 will continue till the 22nd of this month with the theme, 'Better Film, Better Audience and Better Society' in simultaneous screenings in four venues of the capital. 

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