The 14th International Children’s Film Festival Bangladesh 2021 has started in Dhaka from Saturday 30th January under the slogan ‘Future in frames’. The first part of the inaugural program organized by Children’s Film Society Bangladesh at the premises of the Central Public Library in Shahbag was inaugurated at 4 pm on Saturday by the Information Minister. Hasan Mahmood, MP and State Minister for Culture KM Khalid, MP were present as special guests.
After lamp lighting in the Shawkat Osman Auditorium of the Central Public Library in the 2nd episode, Rayeed Morshed Monon, Program Secretary of Children’s Film Society Bangladesh, and Fariha Jannat Mim, Director of the Festival, gave information about the festival. State Minister for Culture KM Khalid, MP addressed as a special guest. At that time, he said, “Children are the ones who have organized this wonderful event for children. I was surprised to see this organization of children.”
Information Minister said in a speech as the chief guest. Hassan Mahmood said, “Film is an important medium to promote children’s latent talents, children’s dreams, country and motherhood. I am hopeful that the next generation will take our country’s film forward.” I am hopeful that a lot of talent will come out of this festival. ‘
At the end of the opening ceremony, the Polish film ‘Triple Trouble’, directed by Martha Karvoska, was screened. This year’s festival will screen 189 children’s films from 36 countries at a total of 3 venues in Dhaka. From the day after the opening ceremony (Sunday) till 3rd February at Shawkat Osman Auditorium of Central Public Library, Shahbag till 3rd February, at Sufia Kamal Auditorium of National Museum, 4th February at National Gallery Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy; The film will be screened a total of 4 times at 11 am, 2 pm, 4 pm and 6 pm. Each exhibition will feature multiple children’s films. All the exhibitions of the festival are open to all including parents, children and teenagers. Although there is no entrance fee for watching the movie, this year due to the coronavirus (Covid-19), wearing a mask is a movie festival ticket being considered as. The director of the festival, Fariha Jannat Mim, said that the entire festival is being conducted in accordance with the health rules issued by the Ministry of Health.
One of the interesting sections of the festival is the competition section created by Bangladeshi children. Out of 71 films in this category, 19 selected films will be screened, 5 of these 19 films will get awards. The five-member jury board formed for the award is all children and teenagers. In other words, the children will choose the best films made by the children.
Young producers between the ages of 19 and 25 have participated in the section titled ‘Young Bangladeshi Talent’. On the occasion of the golden jubilee of the war of liberation, there is a special international film exhibition section titled ‘Liberation Film’. At the same time, there is an International Competition Department, in which 1118 films from 61 countries were submitted, out of which a total of 116 films from 36 other countries including Bangladesh have been selected for exhibition and competition by the festival committee.
Following in the footsteps of last year, the competition section is once again taking films made by children from different countries, from which a film will be awarded. A new social film competition section on the current situation has been set up under the title ‘New Normal’. Various workshops and seminars have been organized for the delegates at the festival, this time a total of 4 workshops will be held.