Acclaimed Bangladeshi filmmaker Abu Shahed Emon continues to build momentum on the international stage with his Japanese-language short film “Tenement of Secret Talk”, which has been officially selected for competition and screening at two major upcoming festivals in Asia – Karatsu International Film Festival in Japan and the 8th South Asian Short Film Festival (SASFF) in India.
At Karatsu International Film Festival 2025, running from July 8 to 13 in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, “Tenement of Secret Talk” is one of only five Japanese short films selected from 331 submissions (including 111 from 33 countries worldwide) to compete in the Main Short Film Competition.
The prestigious event has been organised by the Karatsu Culture Commission, which operates Theater Enya – the city’s first cinema in over two decades – and actively promotes cultural tourism and film initiatives through the annual Karatsu Enya Festival.
The winners of the festival will be announced at an award ceremony on July 13, where Emon’s film will compete for Best Short Film alongside four other standout Japanese productions: “Retake” by Oga Eisuke, “The Digging Woman” by Chitara Ryo, “Roadside” by Eguchi Takahiro, and “Looking for Midnight” by Takeda Akari.
“Tenement of Secret Talk” has also been selected for the International Window: Short Fiction Section of the 8th South Asian Short Film Festival (SASFF) in Kolkata, India, which began on July 7 and will conclude on July 13, 2025, at the iconic Nandan Film Centre.
Only nine films worldwide were selected for this competitive section, making it one of the most exclusive showcases at Eastern India’s largest short fiction and documentary film festival.
SASFF is organised by the Federation of Film Societies of India (est 1959) and has become a vital platform for promoting artistic excellence and regional diversity in cinema.
A celebrated cross-cultural achievement
“Tenement of Secret Talk”, Emon’s Japanese-language directorial debut, has already received widespread acclaim across Japan.
The film won the Excellence Award at the Kumagaya Ekimae Short Film Festival (February 2025), where the jury praised its elegant use of Kyoto’s historical film studio and its skillful adaptation of traditional jidaigeki (period drama) aesthetics.
It also won the Runner-Up Prize at the Tsukuba Short Movie Competition, where it was selected from 163 entries.
Developed as part of the Kyoto Filmmakers Lab under the Kyoto HISTORICA International Film Festival, the film was shot at Shochiku Studio – a legendary location for Japanese period films.
With a story rooted in the Edo period, “Tenement of Secret Talk” weaves together evocative visuals, historical detail, and a powerful emotional core.
Reflecting on the film’s journey, Abu Shahed Emon said, “Creating this film with an international crew in the heart of Japan’s film heritage was an extraordinary experience. It’s incredibly meaningful to see it resonate with audiences across cultures and languages.”
About the filmmaker
Abu Shahed Emon is no stranger to international acclaim. He directed the critically acclaimed web series “Mercules” for Bangladesh’s leading OTT platform Chorki, and has produced several celebrated films, including Sincerely Yours, Dhaka (“Iti, Tomari Dhaka”), A House with No Names (“Patalghar”) and No Ground Beneath the Feet (“Payer Toley Mati Nai”).
His multi-award-winning debut feature Jalaler Golpo (Jalal’s Story, 2014) represented Bangladesh at the Oscars in 2016, marking a breakthrough for independent Bangladeshi cinema on the global stage.
He repeated that feat as producer of Bangladesh’s official Oscar entries again in 2020 with Sincerely Yours, Dhaka and in 2023 with No Ground Beneath the Feet.
With “Tenement of Secret Talk”, Emon continues to expand his cinematic language across cultures – this time immersing himself in Japan’s historical genre to craft a powerful cross-border narrative rooted in tradition, nuance, and emotional depth.