Monjurul Islam Megh’s feature film ‘Moyna’ has secured another official selection at an Italian film festival.
The film has been selected for the San Giovanni International Film Festival. Festival director Marco Piras confirmed the news by email on 3 October.
According to Megh, this marks the third time ‘Moyna’ has received an official selection at a film festival in Italy.
The film previously won Best Film Production at the Gulf of Naples International Film Festival and was named a semifinalist at the Colosseum International Film Festival.
Megh said the film’s third official selection in Italy has generated further international interest in ‘Moyna’.
Released in Bangladesh on 14 February 2025, ‘Moyna’ received consecutive houseful screenings, according to its production company. Screenings were later suspended to observe the sanctity of Ramadan.
Alimullah Khokon, producer of ‘Moyna’ and CEO of Jaaz Multimedia, said he was proud of the film’s commercial and international achievements.
The film has previously received official selections at several international festivals, including the EMMAS BBC Multicultural Film Festival in London, Oporia International Film Festival and Daejeon International Film Festival in South Korea, Egyptiam American Film Festival in the United States, and Golden Jury International Film Festival and Ahmedabad International Film Festival in India.
It also participated in Bangladesh’s Cinemaking International Film Festival and the Cambodia Asian Film Festival.
The film stars Raj Ripa, Kayes Arzu, Amaan Reza, Subrata, Momena Chowdhury, Suchana, Zara and Nader Chowdhury. Child artiste Jannatul Bhor plays the younger Moyna.
The film follows Moyna, a girl from an ordinary rural family, as she tries to overcome social barriers. The story explores her journey from childhood to adulthood, including her desire for motherhood and the social crisis surrounding the identity of her unborn child’s father.
Megh said the film’s screenplay, storytelling and artistic direction have received appreciation from juries at international film festivals.
International distributor Cinemaking Limited said Megh will attend the San Giovanni International Film Festival in person. He will conduct a film workshop there and also take part in the shooting of an upcoming joint production between Cinemaking Limited and an Italian production company.
