A new chapter is set to unfold in Bangladesh’s film landscape with the inaugural Migration Film Festival 2026, a platform celebrating films that explore migration, displacement, dreams, struggles, identity, separation, return and the search for new beginnings.
The organisers have announced the festival’s official selection, featuring 23 films chosen from submissions received from Bangladesh and across the world.
The selection includes 13 films in the national category and 10 films in the international category. Winners from different sections will be announced based on the jury’s evaluations.
Among the selected films is the Bangladeshi short film ‘Mati’, directed by Syed Sahil and Rakayet Rabbi.
Produced by Masud Mia, the film was shot in Paris, France, and various locations across Bangladesh. The cast includes Anjuman Ara Shirin, Imtiaz Rony, Arif Khan, Nayan Chowdhury, Marshia Shawon and Ellen Chowdhury.
‘Mati’ follows Raju, a Bangladeshi migrant living in Europe, as he navigates the uncertainty of life as an undocumented immigrant. Through his struggles and survival, the film highlights the harsh realities faced by many migrants searching for a better future away from home.
The filmmakers and cast members described the film’s inclusion in the official selection as a significant recognition of their creative efforts and an important milestone in their journey.
The first-ever Migration Film Festival 2026 will be held on 29 July at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka.
The one-day festival will feature screenings of selected local and international films, followed by discussions between filmmakers and audiences, creating a platform to explore diverse migration stories through cinema.
