The first-ever New York Bangla Film Festival concluded with a four-day celebration of Bangla cinema in New York, honouring some of Bangladesh’s most accomplished filmmakers and artistes.
Held at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, the festival drew enthusiastic crowds from the Bangladeshi diaspora as well as local film enthusiasts.
The event was jointly organised by Priyojon Films and Lemon Studio, with support from the American Bangladeshi Producers Association.
All County Home Care served as one of the principal sponsors.
The festival was made possible through the efforts of Olive Ahmed, Litu Anam, Picklu Chowdhury and Tanvir Sani.
Over the first three days, audiences enjoyed a diverse selection of Bangladeshi and North American short films, documentaries and feature films.
The closing ceremony featured a red-carpet event, cultural performances and an awards presentation attended by actors Zayed Khan, Kazi Maruf, Emon, Shajal, Bindu and singer Protik Hasan.
Among the top honours, Shakib Khan won Best Actor for his performance in Priyotoma, while Shobnom Bubly received the Best Actress award for Deyaler Desh. Hridi Haq was named Best Director for 1971 Shei Shob Din.
Other major winners included:
Best Supporting Actor: Chanchal Chowdhury (Toofan)
Best Supporting Actress: Sanjida Preeti (1971 Shei Shob Din)
Best Web Film: Kacher Manush Dure Thuiya – directed by Shihab Shaheen
Best Actor (Web Film): Mamnun Emon (Maya)
Best Actress (Web Film): Afsana Ara Bindu (Unish bish)
Best Child Actors: Kazi Arisha (Green Card) and Noireta Hasin Roudromoyee (Jongli)
Best Male Singers: Balam (Priyotoma – “O Priyotoma”) and Pritom Hasan (Toofan – “Lage Ura Dhura”)
Best Female Singer: Abanti Sithi (Surongo – “Ga Chhuye Bolo”)
Best Story: Dr Enamul Haque (1971 Shei Shob Din)
Best Screenplay: Nazim Ud Daula and Raihan Rafi (Surongo)
Best Cinematography: Suman Sarkar (Surongo) and Sahil Rony (Deyaler Desh)
Best Editing: Simit Ray Antor (Surongo) and Kamruzzaman Ronie (1971 Shei Shob Din)
Best Sound Design: Ripon Nath (Toofan)
Best Lyricists: Asif Iqbal (“Megher Nouka” from Prohelika) and Shomeshwar Oli (“Ishwar” from Priyotoma)
Best Composer: Prince Mahmud (“Ishwar” from Priyotoma)
Best Music Director: Emon Saha (Prohelika)
Best Short Film: Lost
Best Documentary: Songs for a Country
Veteran actor Ahmed Sharif received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Bangladeshi cinema.
Special honours were also presented to Bioscope Films, Star Cineplex and the OTT platform Chorki for their contributions to the growth of the Bangladeshi film industry.
According to the organisers, the festival aims not only to showcase Bangla cinema but also to strengthen connections between the younger Bangladeshi diaspora and their cultural heritage while expanding the global reach of Bangladeshi films.
Following the success of its inaugural edition, organisers and participants expressed hope that the festival will return next year on an even larger international scale.
