25th anniversary of short and alternative film movement

Four-day film screening begins at Public Library

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of short and alternative film movement in Bangladesh, a four-day screening titled "Short and Alternative Film Festival" was inaugurated at Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Central Public Library on February 18. The festival, arranged by Chalachchitram Film Society, also marks the 25th anniversary of two pioneering Bangladeshi short films -- Morshedul Islam's "Agami" and Tanvir Mokammel's "Hulia."

Short films made in the initial stages of the movement as well as contemporary acclaimed feature films are being screened at the festival.

A.T.M. Fazlul Karim, secretary, Ministry of Information, inaugurated the festival. Among others, Rasheda K Chowdhury, adviser to the last Caretaker Government; Morshedul Islam and Dr. Ashekur Rahman Khan, executive president and president of Chalachchitram respectively, spoke at the inaugural ceremony. Later "Agami" and "Hulia" were screened.

At the programme, Chalachchitram honoured noted filmmakers Tareque Masud and Tanvir Mokammel, two frontrunners in the arena of short and alternative film movement, for their contribution. Filmmakers -- representing the successive generation of the short and alternative film movement -- Mostafa Sarwar Farooki and Amitav Reza handed over crests to the seasoned auteurs.

Throughout four days, 19 short and full-length films by reputed and promising filmmakers will be screened. The list includes "Antarjatra," "Muktir Gaan," "Nodir Naam Modhumati," "Tajuddin Ahmed: An Unsung Hero," "Biswaraner Nodi," "Swapnodanay," "Chaka," and "Ekatturer Jishu."

Today six films -- "Iti Salma," "Rupantar," "Aparajita," "Chaka," "Bikal" and "Swapnodanay" -- will be screened from 3pm onwards.