Bangladeshi filmmaker and pioneering automotive content creator Saif Sarwar has reached a milestone with his short film ‘Go Beyond’, earning a nomination for Best Independent Film at the International Motor Film Awards (IMFA) 2025.
This marks the first time a Bangladeshi automotive production has gained recognition on such a prominent international platform.
Selected from a pool of 242 entries across 12 categories, Go Beyond is now competing alongside high-profile international films, including ‘F1’, ‘Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning’, ‘Den of Thieves 2: Pantera’, ‘Heads of State’ and ‘Weekend in Taipei’.
Regarded as the ‘Oscars of motoring cinema’, the IMFA has previously celebrated major productions such as ‘Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning’, ‘Ferrari’ documentaries, ‘Top Gear’, ‘Gran Turismo’ and ‘Baby Driver’.
Reflecting on the nomination, Sarwar said, “This recognition in London is more than an award; it’s the spark of a lifelong dream, to showcase Formula 1 through a Bangladeshi perspective. This nomination is the first step in a journey I intend to pursue relentlessly, until the thrill of Formula 1 is experienced through our lens.”
With over 12 years of creative experience, including six dedicated to automotive storytelling, Sarwar described Go Beyond as a personal and professional breakthrough.
The film delivers high-octane off-road sequences, featuring a modified Ford Ranger Wildtrak, capturing the essence of adventure with cinematic flair.
“I had produced countless videos before, but never tackled a full-scale, action-packed off-roading story,” Sarwar shared. “This project allowed me to combine everything I’ve learned and translate it into an immersive, adrenaline-charged narrative.”
The 2025 IMFA ceremony will take place on October 2 at the newly restored Victorian Theatre, Alexandra Palace, London.
The black-tie event will include film screenings, awards presentations and a gala dinner, honoring both established figures and emerging talent in automotive cinema.
Through Go Beyond, Sarwar not only celebrates Bangladesh’s growing automotive culture but also firmly establishes the nation on the global map of automotive filmmaking.