In honour of International Mother Language Day and in remembrance of the language martyrs, the two-day "Matribhashar Chalachitra Utsab" (Mother Language Film Festival) is set to kick off in Dhaka. 

Organised by the Zahir Raihan Film Institute, the festival will feature 15 films made in various languages, including Bengali, Chakma, Marma, Mro, Bawm, Garo, Santal, and Khyang. The event will be held at the Vintage Convention Hall in Dhanmondi today (Sunday) and on Monday.

The festival will start at 3pm on the first day and run until 9pm, while on the second day, it will begin at 10am and conclude at 9pm. According to the organisers, Supradip Chakma, the government's advisor on Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs, will attend as the chief guest for the festival's inauguration.

Panelists include Professor M M Akash, ABM Shamsul Huda, Executive Director of the Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD), Dibalok Singha, Executive Director of the Dushtha Shasthya Kendra, Mushtaq Hossain, Convener of the National Committee of People's Initiative, Anol Raihan, son of Zahir Raihan, and Shankar Sawjal, President of Zahir Raihan Film Institute. The festival will be chaired by film producer Mong Usha Thoai.

Films to be screened include "Raktokarobir Khoje Nandini", "Klobong Mla", "Bondhon", "Preyoshi", "Girikonnya", "Ghore Phera", "Colors of Hope", "Poitrik Bhita", "Adhdhanye Jinghani", "Necklace", "Achik Oikor", "Chhata", "Senapati Dighi", "Aro Kichudin", and "No Lands Talk". Entry to the festival is free, according to the organisers.

Read more

Directors' Guild Bangladesh elects new leaders