Bangladeshi filmmaker Abu Shahed Emon has been chosen for the elite APN+ECG Track at the 2025 Asian Producers Network (APN), part of the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF).
His upcoming project, ‘A Foolish Man’, is one of just eight films selected from a pool of over 160 applicants across Asia, securing a spot in one of the continent’s most prestigious platforms for film financing and international partnerships.
The APN+ECG Track is designed for producers with feature films already in the financing stage, offering participants a chance to engage in curated pitching forums, one-on-one industry meetings, and networking sessions aimed at closing co-production, distribution and financing deals. Emon’s selection positions A Foolish Man for a major leap into the international market.
A Foolish Man, in development for more than a decade, follows Yakub, a convict who escapes death row during a political uprising, only to return to a lawless society where the policeman’s uniform he once dreamed of wearing could become a death sentence. The film is a Bangladesh–Taiwan co-production, produced by Emon alongside Patrick Mao Huang of Flash Forward Entertainment (Taiwan) and co-producer Tahrima Khan of Batayan Productions.
It has already secured initial financing and previously received support from the Asian Cinema Fund, Göteborg Film Festival Fund, Film Bazaar and Locarno Open Doors Lab.
The film’s focus on justice, class, and power resonates strongly amid South Asia’s shifting political landscape, adding to its growing international interest. A recent Variety report confirmed the project’s progress toward production, further boosting its profile.
Emon’s project joins a diverse APN+ECG cohort from major cinema hubs, including China, France, South Korea, and the U.S. The 2025 selection includes: A Foolish Man – Abu Shahed Emon (Bangladesh), Uncle Hiep’s Casino – Betty Hu (USA/China), The Silent Fire – Clarissa Zhang (China), Cherry Bomb – Loy Te (Cambodia/France), The Most Fantastic Time Of My Life – Mark Wee (Singapore), Mellow Pink – Milad Khosravi (Iran), Sea Pineapple – Sarah Kang (South Korea), Chifan – Teresa Kwong and Tsang Tsui Shan (Hong Kong).
With its selection in Singapore, A Foolish Man is set to gain international momentum, showcasing Bangladeshi cinema on a major global stage.
