Photography festival in the port city

A five-day photography festival titled “1st fotografia-Dainik Azadi Photo Festival-2015” began at the district Shilpakala Academy in Chittagong city on Friday. 

Local daily Dainik Azadi and fotografia, an organisation working with photography, are jointly organising the festival with an aim to explore new photographers and give them a platform. BSRM is the sponsor of festival.     

Dainik Azadi Editor MA Malek inaugurated the festival, where a total of 115 photographs are on display for visitors.

Chaired by the Managing Editor of Dainik Azadi Wahid Malek, Director of Alliance Française de Chittagong Raphael Jaeger was also present at the ceremony, among others.       

“A photograph can say many things which, most of the time, cannot be expressed through writing,” said speakers.  

“It is not the camera. It is not the machine. It is the man behind the machine which is most important for a good photograph,” said Azadi Editor MA Malek. 

Apart from addressing many problems, photographers also show the beauty of reality through their lenses, said Alliance Francaise de Chittagong Director Raphael. 

Mohammad Tipu Sultan, advisor of fotografia, moderated the inaugural ceremony while coordinator of the festival Hasan Murad delivered welcome speech.

According to organisers, photographs were called from photographers countrywide in July-August. A total of 857 photographers of the country submitted 3800 photographs. 

Among the participants, 16 photographers were selected as winners for their outstanding photographs on five different categories — Daily life, festival, nature, portrait and documentary.

Photographer Reashat Nafees was elected as the fotografia photographer of the year 2015.

The exhibition will remain open for all from 4:00pm to 8:00pm till October 27. Prizes will be handed to the winners on at the closing ceremony on the last day.