How Do You Do, directed by Abir Ferdous Mukhar, has won the Best Film award in the National Competition at Migration Film Fest 2026, Bangladesh’s first film competition and festival dedicated to migration, human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
In the International Competition, Turkish filmmaker Adar Baran Değer’s The Cold won the top prize.
In the National Competition, Mati, directed by Syed Sahil and Rakayet Rabby, secured second place, while The Last Passage by Iffat Raunaq Promi finished third.
In the International Competition, Iranian director Mosayeb Hanai’s Overload won second place, followed by Venezuelan filmmaker Ricardo Muñoz Senior’s An Island in third.
The awards were presented on Wednesday at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, by Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan.
Speaking at the ceremony, the minister said thousands of Bangladeshis migrate abroad every year in search of employment and a better life.
He noted that many young people fall victim to fraud before and after migration but continue to make a significant contribution to the country’s economy through remittances.
“Migration is not just about statistics; it is about people’s stories,” he said, adding that the Ministry of Information would continue supporting initiatives that promote awareness of safe migration.
Saiful Haque Chowdhury, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, praised filmmakers for highlighting the realities of migration, saying their films reflected true stories that should reach a wider audience.
Giuseppe Di Giovanni, Migration Attaché at the Embassy of Italy in Bangladesh, criticised criminal networks that exploit aspiring migrants by charging thousands of dollars for migration despite Italian visa fees ranging from only $61 to $100.
He said closer cooperation between Bangladesh and Italy was essential to dismantle these trafficking networks.
Filmmaker Kamar Ahmad Simon said cinema has the power to spark meaningful discussions on migration and encourage emerging filmmakers to address pressing social issues.
Rahnuma Salam Khan, National Programme Manager at the International Labour Organization (ILO) and a member of the festival jury, said films can play a crucial role in raising public awareness about migration and human trafficking.
Bangladesh Film Certification Board Vice-Chairman SM Abdur Rahman also praised the initiative and pledged continued support.
In his welcome speech, BRAC Associate Director Shariful Islam Hasan said Bangladesh is one of the world’s leading labour-exporting countries, with more than 10 million citizens working abroad.
He noted that many migrants face exploitation, dangerous sea journeys and human trafficking while pursuing opportunities overseas, underscoring the importance of promoting safe migration through storytelling.
Best National Film winner Abir Ferdous Mukhar said cinema is a powerful medium that can help potential migrants understand the risks of irregular migration and encourage them to seek safer pathways.
According to BRAC, the films showcased at the festival portrayed the harsh realities of unsafe migration, including deadly sea crossings, starvation, exploitation by traffickers and the struggle to survive.
The organisation said it hopes the festival will continue to engage young filmmakers in addressing migration, human trafficking and migrant smuggling while strengthening public awareness of safe migration.
