This year, Bangladeshi director Rajib Rafi's short film "Once Upon a Time in Wari Bateshwar" has secured a spot in the competition category of the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival.

Following the Cannes Film Festival, this festival stands as France's second-most significant film festival. 

This renowned short film festival is set to run from January 31 to February 8.

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According to the filmmaker, "Once Upon a Time in Wari Bateshwar" is a magical realist journey between the strange and the terrifying. The film, shot entirely with a drone, offers stunning visuals and a distinct non-human perspective. 

Additionally, the narrative sheds light on the untold stories of the people and landscapes of Wari Bateshwar, one of the most ancient archaeological sites in Bangladesh.

Rajib Rafi served as both the director and the writer of the film's story. 

Produced under the Khona Talkies banner, the project was led by producer Ashiq Mostafa, with Adnan Ahmed as the co-producer. 

The film's cast includes Imtiaz Niloy, Shailen Paul, Sabikun Nahar Kankan, Shyamal Shishir, Toto Timothy, Dipankar Dip, MD Jony, and Nazim Uddin, among others in prominent roles.

It is worth mentioning that Wari and Bateshwar, located in the Belabo and Shibpur upazilas of Narsingdi, are home to an archaeological site spanning two villages. It is believed to be a fortified city buried underground. According to experts, the site is estimated to be around 2,500 years old.

"Once Upon a Time in Wari Bateshwar" marks Rajib Rafi's first short film as a director. 

Earlier, in 2019, "The Last Post Office," directed by Aung Rakhine and scripted by Rajib Rafi, was screened at the same festival.