Faces of Bangladesh in the DIFF jury board

Ilias Kanchan. Photo: Star

Noted Bangladeshi film actor and activist Ilias Kanchan and internationally acclaimed Bangladeshi filmmaker Rubaiyat Hossain made to the list of 12 member jury board of the Dhaka International Film Festival 2019.

Ilias Kanchan will judge the Asian Competition category, whereas Rubaiyat Hossain will be a jury member of the Women Film-makers category. The jury has just began watching and evaluating films. Rubaiyat informed The Daily Star that it is definitely encouraging for women filmmakers to receive a dedicated section. "We are still few in number and we definitely want more in the coming days," says Rubaiyat. She also commented that it is better if festivals ensure proper screening and audiences. "As a director, I always enjoy interacting with the audience after screening. I hope our festivals encourage it too," she adds. Zerifa Wahid, Makfire Miftari, Dr Maja Bogodevic and Amita Dandona are the other members of the board in this category.

Alongside Ilias Kanchan, Yasi Qin, Francois d' Artemare, Magnus Meyer Arnesen and Jovan Markovic will also be the jury in the Asian Competition category.