Alliance Française de Dhaka opened ‘22’ on November 21, an intimate, process-driven exhibition offering a rare glimpse into the early creative journeys of Bangladesh’s emerging animation filmmakers.
Showcasing work-in-progress pieces from 22 young artists, the exhibition marks the conclusion of the Animation Short Film Development Workshop, held from June to August 2025 under the mentorship of filmmaker Afroza Sara.
In animation, the development phase is often the quietest, and most easily overshadowed, part of the production pipeline. Yet it is here, long before a single frame is rendered, that a film’s emotional and structural core is established.
The workshop focused exclusively on this foundational stage, encouraging participants to interrogate the heart of their stories while refining their thematic, visual and narrative blueprints.
Across several months, the cohort engaged in intensive creative exercises, from thematic research and world-building to concept art, character development, screenplay drafts and storyboards.
These preliminary explorations, though far from finished, form the essential scaffolding upon which every animated film ultimately rests. They also give young creators the chance to receive peer feedback, expand professional networks and test ideas with early audiences.
22 marks an important milestone for the group, many of whom are presenting their development materials publicly for the first time. The display includes mood boards, concept sketches, notebooks and storyboards, each offering a candid look at the thought processes guiding projects that may eventually reach wider screens.
By sharing their ideas at this early stage, the participants hope to spark conversation around the themes they are tackling, gauge reactions to their visual styles and gather insights before moving into more demanding phases of production. Visitors interested in future collaborations may contact the writer-directors via the email addresses included in each project bio.
The open-to-all exhibition runs until November 25 at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, Dhanmondi. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
