Filmmaker Juboraj Shamim, known for ‘Adim’, is set to return to the Moscow International Film Festival with his latest feature ‘Atal’, which has been selected for the 48th edition of the event.
According to a recent statement from the festival authorities, Atal has been included in the Apocalypse Now section of the festival. Although it is not part of the main competition this year, Juboraj said the film will be screened under the Netpac selection.
His debut feature had previously been screened at the 44th Moscow International Film Festival, where it won both the Special Jury Award and the Netpac Jury Award.
Atal, his second full-length film, explores the psychological state of a man experiencing existential crisis. Juboraj describes the character as someone who feels as if he is living between life and an unfinished reality, where time appears suspended and surrounding figures seem frozen. The film attempts to visually represent this sense of dislocation.
The project is also the first production from Juboraj Shamim’s banner Darbar Sharif. It stars Naeem Tushar, who is an addiction professional and photographer by profession, and also handled cinematography alongside acting.
Speaking about the film, Juboraj said it was made as a shared journey between him and Tushar, shot across multiple locations using a minimalist approach. He added that he views filmmaking as a form of poetry, where process and lived experience matter more than budget, casting or conventional storytelling structures.
“I want to make the films I want to see. I do not think about anything else,” he said.
The film’s technical team includes Ripon Nath for sound design, Abdullah Rakib for colour grading, and Shibu Kumar Shil of Meghdol for the poster design. Juboraj also expressed gratitude to filmmaker Morshedul Islam for his support during the production process.
Explaining why Moscow has once again become the film’s destination, Juboraj recalled his experience at the festival in 2023, when programme director Ivan Kudryavtsev encouraged him to return with his next work.
Although Atal was later selected by several other festivals, including Ephesus in Goa, the director chose to wait for other opportunities before ultimately accepting Moscow’s selection.
“I realised Moscow was the film’s destination,” he said.
The 48th Moscow International Film Festival will run from April 16 to 23. Juboraj and Naeem Tushar are scheduled to travel on April 16, with Atal set to screen on April 19.
