A new initiative, Mind the Gap Film Movement, has been launched to promote political awareness among working-class communities through cinema. With the theme "Political Films, Politics in Film," the project aims to host a travelling film festival, bringing impactful and thought-provoking movies directly to the public.

Across the world, film festivals are celebrated with much grandeur. However, the glamour of these events often remains out of reach for the lower-income populace, as they primarily cater to those within the film industry. Surprisingly, it is the often-overlooked lower-income communities, who consistently purchase tickets and watch films in theatres, that play a crucial role in sustaining the art of cinema.

The festival will kick off on December 1 at 7pm at the Tejgaon Railway Station in the capital. The opening film, Evan Monawar's "The Sound is Loud," will be screened via a projector. 

Following this, two more short films will be showcased, including "Passenger," also by Evan Monawar, and "Untongue" by Golam Rabbani. This one-hour-long open-air screening will be free for everyone 

Later that evening, at 8pm, the second screening of the festival will take place under the open sky at the roundabout near the Karwan Bazar Metro Rail station. The same three short films—"The Sound is Loud," "Passenger," and "Untongue"—will be shown, welcoming everyone in attendance to join.

Evan Monawar, the head of the Mind the Gap Film Movement, stated that the primary goal of this mobile short film festival is to provide the masses with an opportunity to watch films for free. Over time, works from other filmmakers will also be added to the lineup.

The filmmaker further spoke with Bangla Tribune, stating, "There aren't many entertainment options in this city for rickshaw pullers, shopkeepers, garment workers, and other working-class people. They often feel uncomfortable visiting elite venues. That's why we decided to take our films directly to these people and showcase them where they are."

"This mobile film exhibition will begin in Dhaka and gradually expand across the country, reaching marketplaces, schools, colleges, and every public space where people gather," he added.

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He further shared that, in addition to showcasing short films by independent filmmakers, the event will gradually feature works by legendary directors such as Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, Charlie Chaplin, Zahir Raihan, Tareque Masud, Ritwik Ghatak, and Mrinal Sen, among others.