[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Film Industry

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Industry leaders to address challenges in Bangladeshi cinema

In an ambitious move to strengthen the future of Bangladesh’s cinematic landscape, the Bangladesh Film Students’ Association (BFSA) is set to host a National Film Conference at Dhaka University tomorrow. The conference, taking place at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, is set to be a...

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Industry leaders to address challenges in Bangladeshi cinema

Photo: Collected

In an ambitious move to strengthen the future of Bangladesh's cinematic landscape, the Bangladesh Film Students' Association (BFSA) is set to host a National Film Conference at Dhaka University tomorrow. The conference, taking place at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, is set to be a landmark event for over 500 filmmakers, students, educators, and film professionals — all united in their vision for a brighter future for the Bangladeshi film industry.

Under the banner of the theme "Shongskarey Cholochitro, Poribortone Desh", the conference aims to tackle the urgent challenges lying ahead of the film sector in Bangladesh. The event is not just a gathering of minds but a call for action — one that seeks to ignite conversations on reinvigorating the country's filmmaking ecosystem, making it a powerful cultural and commercial force in the region.

The conference will feature passionate voices from industry leaders and experts, including the chief guest, Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam, as well as special guests, Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Mahfuj Alam, special assistant to the chief adviser. Together, they will steer the dialogue toward concrete solutions that benefit filmmakers and the country's broader entertainment and cultural landscape.

For the first time, key topics that have long hindered the growth of Bangladesh's film industry will take centre stage. From outdated certification laws to the underdeveloped infrastructure of film distribution and exhibition, the conference will strive to dismantle the barriers preventing the industry from realising its full potential.

The need for a revamped Bangladesh Film Certification Law, a restructured Film Development Corporation, and improved digital distribution networks are just some of the pressing issues that will be explored. The discussion will also delve into the commercialisation of the industry, focusing on ticket sales, box office management, and revenue-sharing systems that currently limit the profitability of local films.

As the film industry grapples with these systemic challenges, the importance of film education will also be underscored. Expanding access to said education across the country and creating more opportunities for young filmmakers will be integral to the conversation.

The conference will also look at how an improved educational infrastructure can nurture future generations of filmmakers, technicians, and storytellers, ensuring that Bangladesh remains at the forefront of cinematic innovation.

Another critical point of discussion will be the development of Gazipur Film City, which holds immense promise as a hub for film production, not just in Bangladesh but across South Asia. The conference will explore how to make this vision a reality, offering a glimpse of what the future of Bangladeshi filmmaking could look like on the global stage.

Perhaps one of the most urgent issues to be discussed is the ongoing battle against piracy and the lack of government investment in the sector. Without robust protections against piracy and strategic support from the government, filmmakers are left vulnerable, and the industry's growth remains stunted. Conference attendees will work towards establishing an anti-piracy framework and advocate for increased government funding to bolster local film productions.

The National Film Conference aims to transcend political barriers, fostering a future where creativity, commerce, and culture thrive. By focusing on actionable solutions, it expects to elevate Bangladesh's film industry and secure its legacy for future generations.

For the attendees, it is an opportunity to transform the way the country sees its film industry by pushing boundaries, challenging old conventions, and sparking a cultural renaissance. In the words of one of the organisers, "This is the time for change, for a film industry that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh, while embracing the future of global cinema."​

 

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Modhumita Cinema Hall to close down after Eid

Madhumita Cinema Hall, a decades-old theatre in Dhaka will be completely shut down after the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha

en.prothomalo.com

Modhumita Cinema Hall to close down after Eid
Entertainment Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 31 Jan 2025, 20: 00

One of the oldest cinema hall in Dhaka. Prothom Alo

One of the country’s historic theatres, Modhumita Cinema Hall in Motijheel area of Dhaka had been opened 58 years ago. This decades-old theatre was in a loop of being open for a few months and then closed for a few months during last few years.

Owner of the theatre Iftekhar Uddin Naushad said Thursday afternoon that their theatre will be completely shut down after the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. A multi-storey building will be constructed in its stead. And the new building will have a Cineplex.

Iftekhar Uddin Naushad said that they had to take this decision from the family. He added that the Modhumita Cinema Hall did not have much business in the past few years, except on special occasions.

Inside of Modhumita Cinema Hall in DhakaProthom Alo

Even then, Iftekhar Uddin Naushad held on to this ancestral business. But recently he had to accept the proposal of demolishing the current theatre and build a multi-storey building there based on their family decision.

Iftekhar Uddin Naushad told Prothom Alo, “Films are not being released nowdays in our country. If there are no films, there is no point in keeping our cinema hall running either. Now we will wait for Shakib Khan’s Eid film. I heard that Shakib’s film will be released on Eid-ul-Azha as well. When Shakib’s film is released on Eid-ul-Azha, we will stretch the screenings for two months.”

“Then, after releasing another film of Shakib Khan on Eid-ul-Azha, we will close down the theatre for good. We don’t get any films to do business during other times of the year apart from the two Eids. Such a cinema hall cannot run when it’s left empty for months at a stretch, right?” he continued.

Managing director of Madhumita Cinema Hall, Iftekhar Uddin Naushad. Collected

In the course of the conversation Naushad said, “We are just counting losses by keeping it open. So, we finalised the decision to close down Modhumita two weeks ago. While other members in our family had already been in favour of closing it down for the last couple years, I was the one against it till now. Now, I also agree with my brothers that this is the right decision. There are no films, let’s just shut it, I said.”

“Recently, we had brought a new sound system and had carried out a lot of renovations at the theatre. We had to invest a lot of money in that. But even then, if we could release films regularly and have decent films to do business, there was no problem in investing.”

In the last two years, we have been able to do some business only on the films ‘Priyotoma’, ‘Toofan’ and ‘Dorod’. We had to count losses on all other films that were screened at the theatre apart from these. Now there’s no films at all. There is no point in leaving such a big institution idle like this. But, we’ll keep a cinema hall even when we build a multi-storey building there,” he added.

On 1 December 1967, speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Justice Abdul Jabbar Khan had inaugurated the Modhumita Cinema Hall. Iftekhar Uddin Naushad said, “I still remember that day clearly. The show started with the film ‘Cleopatra’ starring Elizabeth Taylor. There was such interest among the spectators on the first day. We started with modern sound (magnetic sound) system from the very first day.”

Siraj Uddin, a businessman from Old Dhaka, was the founder of the hall. He had placed an advertisement in the Daily Ittefaq asking for a suitable name for the cinema hall. Many people suggested names and sent them. From those suggestions, Siraj Uddin chose the name Modhumita and rewarded the person, who suggested the name, with Tk 500 at that time.

Siraj Uddin’s son Iftekhar Uddin Naushad is the current managing director of the cinema hall and the four sons of Siraj Uddin are the joint owners. The cinema hall can house 1,221 spectators at a time.​

 

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Decentralising filmmaking: Monsoon Revolution Film Production Workshop hosts Dhaka event

The Monsoon Revolution Film Production Workshop has officially been launched under the initiative of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, with the vision of decentralising the filmmaking industry and nurturing new talent from across the country. The workshop aims to create opportunities for...

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Decentralising filmmaking: Monsoon Revolution Film Production Workshop hosts Dhaka event

Photos: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

The Monsoon Revolution Film Production Workshop has officially been launched under the initiative of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, with the vision of decentralising the filmmaking industry and nurturing new talent from across the country. The workshop aims to create opportunities for aspiring filmmakers beyond Dhaka, empowering them with hands-on training in storytelling, cinematography, production, editing, and the application of technology in filmmaking.

Dhaka division's session commenced today, with notable figures in attendance, including Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Professor Dr Sumon Rahman, fimmaker Tanim Noor and prodigal filmmaker Nuhash Humayun at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, marking the beginning of a five-day intensive programme.

Speaking about the workshop's significance, Nuhash Humayun shared, "Through films, we can bring change. A nation's culture, its films, and OTT web-series alike are its creative superpowers. The stronger the storytelling, the more impactful the message. Films allow us to present our perspectives without restrictions."

As part of the project, eight selected filmmakers will produce eight medium-length films in collaboration with novice and trained film workers. A search committee, formed last December, selected these filmmakers to conduct workshops and create films this year.

The selected directors are — Anam Biswas, Humaira Bilkis, Nuhash Humayun, Shankha Dasgupta, Shaheen Dill-Riaz, Robiul Alam Robi, Tasmiah Afrin Mou, and Mohammad Touqir Islam.

Today's event was graced by cultural adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, who highlighted the overwhelming response from aspiring filmmakers. "In this innovative workshop led by Nuhash Humayun, over 500 participants have submitted their writings, which are a promising sign that we are heading in the right direction," he stated.

As part of a nationwide initiative, the Monsoon Revolution Film Production Workshop will be conducted across all eight divisions of Bangladesh, each facilitated by accomplished young filmmakers. By decentralising access to filmmaking education and mentorship, this initiative is expected to encourage a new generation of storytellers.​