The Bogura International Film Festival (BIFF) is set to return for its sixth edition, taking place from January 8 to 10 next year at the city’s Madhuban Cineplex.
This year’s festival has been dedicated to legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak to mark his birth centenary, confirmed festival director Supin Barman.
Organised by Bogra’s only film-related organisation, the Pundranagar Film Society, the festival will see a few notable changes this year. Traditionally held in February, the event has been moved forward to January due to the upcoming national elections and the month of Ramadan.
A total of 71 films from 32 countries will be screened across five categories. Seven awards will be presented in categories including international short film, feature film, documentary, animated film and open door short.
An experienced jury board has been formed to select the best films in each category. The panel includes Bangladeshi filmmakers Khandaker Suman, Mohammad Rakibul Hasan and Antu Azad; cinematographer Sheikh Rajibul Islam; Dr Shariful Islam, Assistant Professor at the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, North South University; Russian film expert Anaskin Serge; filmmaker Alexander Morrow; Indian film curator Shantanu Ganguly; Iranian filmmaker Mariam Ghasemi and Santosh Subedi, Chairman of the Nepal Cultural International Film Festival.
In addition to film screenings, the festival will also feature masterclasses, open discussions and filmmaking workshops.
According to the organisers, filmmakers from at least seven countries are expected to attend this year’s event.
