The 24th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) officially opened on Saturday at the Bangladesh National Museum. The event marks the start of one of Bangladesh’s leading celebrations of global cinema.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Interim Government for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Water Resources, and Information and Broadcasting, inaugurated the nine-day festival as the chief guest.
Other speakers included Li Shaopeng, Cultural Counsellor at the Embassy of China; Croatia-UK filmmaker Alexandera Markovich; Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Jalal Ahmed; and DIFF Director Ahmed Muztaba Zamal.
Addressing the audience, Syeda Rizwana Hasan welcomed the wide international participation. She encouraged organisers to include more films on environmental issues. She also suggested the Ministry of Cultural Affairs play a stronger role in promoting the festival.
Festival Director Ahmed Muztaba Zamal shared DIFF’s philosophy: “Better films, better audience, better society.” Li Shaopeng highlighted Chinese Film Week and called cinema a powerful tool for cultural collaboration. Alexandera Markovich praised Bangladeshi storytelling traditions, while Jalal Ahmed expressed confidence in the festival’s continued success.
On the opening day, films were screened simultaneously at two auditoriums. The festival opened with Wu Jin Zhi Lu (The Journey to No End), directed by Chen Xiang. Organisers also launched a special exhibition on Chinese cinema to reflect growing Bangladesh-China cultural exchange.
The ceremony included a theatrical performance by Joltoronggo Theatre Company. Screenings will take place at Alliance Française de Dhaka, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh National Museum, and Stamford University Bangladesh. For the first time, Laboni Beach Point in Cox’s Bazar will also host screenings.
Additionally, the festival will feature a two-day international conference on women in cinema, a day-long masterclass, a four-day screenplay lab, and a group art exhibition.
The 24th Dhaka International Film Festival will conclude on 18 January 2026.
