Children’s Film Festival

For young movie fans, visiting the upcoming 11th International Children’s Film Festival Bangladesh is a must. The weeklong festival, which begins on January 27 in Dhaka, allows young filmmakers of our country, as well as those from abroad, a platform to showcase their talents.

Rajib Saha, a student, has been visiting the festival for the past five years. “I am a movie buff and every year, I eagerly wait for this festival. I am planning to go to the festival with my mother this year,” he said.

A total of 220 films from 58 countries have been selected for screening at the 2018 festival, which is organised by Children’s Film Society (CFS), with the slogan ‘Future in Frames’. This year, the festival is open for all, so one need not worry about buying tickets to watch films. However, unlike last year, the films will only be shown in the capital. Screenings will take place at seven venues, including Central Public Library, Bangladesh National Museum, Shilpakala Academy, British Council, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka and Goethe-Institute. So far, 49 Bangladeshi and seven foreign delegates have confirmed their participation in the festival, and the number of delegates may increase, the organisers said.

Ishmum Naoar, 17, a student of class 11 at Mirzapur Cadet College, is a young filmmaker. His short film, ‘Friend’, has been selected for this year’s festival. “I made this short film back in 2014, but due to some personal problems, I was not able to submit the film before. The duration of my film is 20 minutes. There are two lead characters in my film. The story is about a boy who lives in an old house that has plenty of trees. One day, he realises one of the trees can speak and both of them become friends. But soon enough, he comes to know that his parents are going to sell the house to a real-estate developer. He decided to save the house and his tree friend. I have used different types of cameras for my film, from DSLR to smartphones. I borrowed the DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera from a cousin,” said Naoar, describing his film. “I have been attending the children’s film festival for a couple of years now. I not only love the festival for the movies, but also because young filmmakers like me can meet other young filmmakers from other counties. I started making films in 2014 with my mother’s mobile phone and ‘Friend’ is my first full film. I have dreamt about participating in the festival as a participant. At last, my dream is coming true. I hope my film will entertain people. Though I didn’t get any positive response from my friends, my family supported me all the way. I am also looking forward to taking part in the workshops that will be held during the festival.”

There are three categories for Bangladeshi films. Each category has an age limit, which includes 18 years for child filmmakers’ section, and 25 for young Bangladeshi filmmaker and social film sections. For international film competition, the categories are full feature-length and short films and there is no age restriction. Alongside screening of films, there will be a number of workshops on filmmaking during the festival.

The decision to screen films only in Dhaka this year has disappointed many movie fans and filmmakers outside the capital. Last year, films were also shown in Rajshahi, Rangpur and Chittagong cities as part of the festival.

M Ajijul Hasan, 18, who recently finished high school and is planning to go abroad to study filmmaking, told Y&I: “I feel sorry that this year, the festival will only be held in Dhaka. I started making short films in 2017. I submitted my first film, ‘The Auxiliary Verb’, at this year’s festival. My film is about a 12-year-old boy who works as a ‘helper’ on buses and other public transports. The movie is about his dreams, thoughts, pain and wishes. I found my lead character at Farmgate in Dhaka. His name is Nazmul, he was working as a transport worker. He makes Taka 300 per day and I had to pay him that amount of money to act in my film. This film questions our society, what we are doing to help children like him. While I was making the film, I came to know his life story, how he is the breadwinner of his family. His father was a rickshaw-puller, but after an accident, he is not able to work anymore, and his mother works as a housemaid. Although he does not go to school anymore, he pays his siblings’ school fees and wants them to study further. My friends liked my fillm. I hope my film will encourage us to help children like Nazmul.”

It is not always easy for youths to make films. Many are discouraged by their family and friends. That being said, it doesn’t stop talented young people from making films. Sharmin Akter, a student of class 9, lives in Joypurhat. She got interested in making films when she was in class 7. In the beginning, her parents, especially her father, didn’t approve. But that motivated her more. “My father didn’t like the idea of me making films, so I made a film on that! The name of my film is ‘Film Crazy’. The story is about a girl who wants to make films, but her family does not support her. Nevertheless, the parents find out that their daughter has made a short film and it has been selected for screening at the Children’s Film Festival, and that makes them proud. I got my family members to act in my film. Since I live in Joypurhat, I am not sure whether I will be able to come to Dhaka to see my film being screened. My father is a private service holder and he cannot get leave just like that. I think it would be really wonderful to visit Dhaka with my family for the festival,” Sharmin, aged 16, told Y&I over mobile phone.

Her father, M Shahinur Islam, added: “My daughter started showing interest in filmmaking when she was in class 6 or 7. To be frank, I was not that happy with it at the beginning. But slowly I realised it is a hundred times better for her to spend time on something creative than on social media. It helped her to understand different things. She had to write a story and shoot the movie all by herself. I am really very happy with what she has achieved. I played the character of the father in the film. I was portraying myself and the dialogues were written for me by my daughter, it was a wonderful experience.”

Besides getting to express their talents in front or behind the camera, the festival also allows young filmmakers to address different issues. Razia Sultana, 17, is a student of class 9 at Kisholoy Girls’ School and College in Dhaka. She likes to make short films based on different issues of our society. Her film, ‘The Magic Bin’ will be shown at the festival. “I am really very excited that my film is going to be screened at the festival. I used to visit the festival as a visitor, now I am going there as a participant. My elder brother is the one who motivated me to make this film. He himself makes short films. He told me I should make a movie and submit it to the festival. There are two characters in my film, a mother and her baby. The story of my film deals with throwing garbage in the right place and building a clean city. The duration of my film is 20 minutes,” she said.  

Proper encouragement is always required for talent to flourish. Normally, we look up to our parents and guardians for that. Shariful Islam, a guardian, said: “I always encouraged my younger sister to participate in different children’s programmes. I used to submit films at this festival, but my films were not accepted. I thought if I was not able to get selected, that doesn’t mean my sister won’t. I am feeling tremendously proud of the fact that my sister’s film has been selected for screening. Nowadays, it’s better for children to get involved in something creative. It’s not that she will become a famous filmmaker for sure, but whatever skill and experience she is gathering will help to build her confidence.”

Abir Ferdous Mukhar, a young film activist and festival director, told Y&I: “This year, we received 1,500 films from 76 countries. Out of them, we have selected 220 films from 58 countries for the festival. Every year, our festival is getting bigger, and the best thing is many children from all corners of the country are participating. The weeklong film festival has a lot to offer to both youths and adults. By taking part in workshops at the festival, young filmmakers will be able to learn new things. We have noticed a great improvement in the works of our old participants; their work is getting better day by day. The sheer enthusiasm we are witnessing among the youths only shows how eager they are to make quality films and entertain the people.”

Like previous years, five films will be awarded in the child filmmakers’ section, which will be selected by children themselves, he added. Besides, two films will receive awards from young Bangladeshi filmmakers’ and social film sections, which will be judged by Amitabh Reza Chowdhury. This time, the subject of social film section is ‘violence against women’. The international film competition will be judged by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Mezbarul Rahman.

Photos: Courtesy.

Childrens Film Festival

For young movie fans, visiting the upcoming 11th International Childrens Film Festival Bangladesh is a must. The weeklong festival, which begins on January 27 in Dhaka, allows young filmmakers of our country, as well as those from abroad, a platform to showcase their talents. Rajib Saha, a student, has been visiting the festival for the past five years. I am a movie buff and every year, I eagerly wait for this festival. I am planning to go to the festival with my mother this year, he said. A total of 220 films from 58 countries have been selected for screening at the 2018 festival, which is organised by Childrens Film Society (CFS), with the slogan Future in Frames. This year, the festival is open for all, so one need not worry about buying tickets to watch films. However, unlike last year, the films will only be shown in the capital. Screenings will take place at seven venues, including Central Public Library, Bangladesh National Museum, Shilpakala Academy, British Council, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka and Goethe-Institute. So far, 49 Bangladeshi and seven foreign delegates have confirmed their participation in the festival, and the number of delegates may increase, the organisers said. Ishmum Naoar, 17, a student of class 11 at Mirzapur Cadet College, is a young filmmaker. His short film, Friend, has been selected for this years festival. I made this short film back in 2014, but due to some personal problems, I was not able to submit the film before. The duration of my film is 20 minutes. There are two lead characters in my film. The story is about a boy who lives in an old house that has plenty of trees. One day, he realises one of the trees can speak and both of them become friends. But soon enough, he comes to know that his parents are going to sell the house to a real-estate developer. He decided to save the house and his tree friend. I have used different types of cameras for my film, from DSLR to smartphones. I borrowed the DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera from a cousin, said Naoar, describing his film. I have been attending the childrens film festival for a couple of years now. I not only love the festival for the movies, but also because young filmmakers like me can meet other young filmmakers from other counties. I started making films in 2014 with my mothers mobile phone and Friend is my first full film. I have dreamt about participating in the festival as a participant. At last, my dream is coming true. I hope my film will entertain people. Though I didnt get any positive response from my friends, my family supported me all the way. I am also looking forward to taking part in the workshops that will be held during the festival. There are three categories for Bangladeshi films. Each category has an age limit, which includes 18 years for child filmmakers section, and 25 for young Bangladeshi filmmaker and social film sections. For international film competition, the categories are full feature-length and short films and there is no age restriction. Alongside screening of films, there will be a number of workshops on filmmaking during the festival. The decision to screen films only in Dhaka this year has disappointed many movie fans and filmmakers outside the capital. Last year, films were also shown in Rajshahi, Rangpur and Chittagong cities as part of the festival. M Ajijul Hasan, 18, who recently finished high school and is planning to go abroad to study filmmaking, told YI: I feel sorry that this year, the festival will only be held in Dhaka. I started making short films in 2017. I submitted my first film, The Auxiliary Verb, at this years festival. My film is about a 12-year-old boy who works as a helper on buses and other public transports. The movie is about his dreams, thoughts, pain and wishes. I found my lead character at Farmgate in Dhaka. His name is Nazmul, he was working as a transport worker. He makes Taka 300 per day and I had to pay him that amount of money to act in my film. This film questions our society, what we are doing to help children like him. While I was making the film, I came to know his life story, how he is the breadwinner of his family. His father was a rickshaw-puller, but after an accident, he is not able to work anymore, and his mother works as a housemaid. Although he does not go to school anymore, he pays his siblings school fees and wants them to study further. My friends liked my fillm. I hope my film will encourage us to help children like Nazmul. It is not always easy for youths to make films. Many are discouraged by their family and friends. That being said, it doesnt stop talented young people from making films. Sharmin Akter, a student of class 9, lives in Joypurhat. She got interested in making films when she was in class 7. In the beginning, her parents, especially her father, didnt approve. But that motivated her more. My father didnt like the idea of me making films, so I made a film on that! The name of my film is Film Crazy. The story is about a girl who wants to make films, but her family does not support her. Nevertheless, the parents find out that their daughter has made a short film and it has been selected for screening at the Childrens Film Festival, and that makes them proud. I got my family members to act in my film. Since I live in Joypurhat, I am not sure whether I will be able to come to Dhaka to see my film being screened. My father is a private service holder and he cannot get leave just like that. I think it would be really wonderful to visit Dhaka with my family for the festival, Sharmin, aged 16, told YI over mobile phone. Her father, M Shahinur Islam, added: My daughter started showing interest in filmmaking when she was in class 6 or 7. To be frank, I was not that happy with it at the beginning. But slowly I realised it is a hundred times better for her to spend time on something creative than on social media. It helped her to understand different things. She had to write a story and shoot the movie all by herself. I am really very happy with what she has achieved. I played the character of the father in the film. I was portraying myself and the dialogues were written for me by my daughter, it was a wonderful experience. Besides getting to express their talents in front or behind the camera, the festival also allows young filmmakers to address different issues. Razia Sultana, 17, is a student of class 9 at Kisholoy Girls School and College in Dhaka. She likes to make short films based on different issues of our society. Her film, The Magic Bin will be shown at the festival. I am really very excited that my film is going to be screened at the festival. I used to visit the festival as a visitor, now I am going there as a participant. My elder brother is the one who motivated me to make this film. He himself makes short films. He told me I should make a movie and submit it to the festival. There are two characters in my film, a mother and her baby. The story of my film deals with throwing garbage in the right place and building a clean city. The duration of my film is 20 minutes, she said. Proper encouragement is always required for talent to flourish. Normally, we look up to our parents and guardians for that. Shariful Islam, a guardian, said: I always encouraged my younger sister to participate in different childrens programmes. I used to submit films at this festival, but my films were not accepted. I thought if I was not able to get selected, that doesnt mean my sister wont. I am feeling tremendously proud of the fact that my sisters film has been selected for screening. Nowadays, its better for children to get involved in something creative. Its not that she will become a famous filmmaker for sure, but whatever skill and experience she is gathering will help to build her confidence. Abir Ferdous Mukhar, a young film activist and festival director, told YI: This year, we received 1,500 films from 76 countries. Out of them, we have selected 220 films from 58 countries for the festival. Every year, our festival is getting bigger, and the best thing is many children from all corners of the country are participating. The weeklong film festival has a lot to offer to both youths and adults. By taking part in workshops at the festival, young filmmakers will be able to learn new things. We have noticed a great improvement in the works of our old participants; their work is getting better day by day. The sheer enthusiasm we are witnessing among the youths only shows how eager they are to make quality films and entertain the people. Like previous years, five films will be awarded in the child filmmakers section, which will be selected by children themselves, he added. Besides, two films will receive awards from young Bangladeshi filmmakers and social film sections, which will be judged by Amitabh Reza Chowdhury. This time, the subject of social film section is violence against women. The international film competition will be judged by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Mezbarul Rahman. Photos: Courtesy.