Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 285 Wed. March 16, 2005  
   
Culture


Sylhet witnesses first film festival


The five-day 'Mukto Doirgha Chalachchitra Uthsab 2005' recently began at the mini auditorium of Shahjalal University of Science & Technology (SUST). The audience was delighted at the festival of Bangla films, presented here for the first time by Chokh Film Society, the only film society in the varsity.

The occasion began with a colourful procession. Later at the inaugural function, Professor Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, vice-chancellor of SUST, formally inaugurated the festival while renowned filmmaker Tauquir Ahmed and Ahmed Noor, general secretary of Sylhet Press Club, addressed the sizeable audience as special guests. Former general secretary of the society SD Shyamol and its President AKM Imran also spoke on the occasion.

Speakers at the inaugural function said the short film movement can bring changes in society. The young generation filmmakers needed government assistance so that they could make good films.

VC Professor Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, while inaugurating the festival, said though the producers and makers of good films do not get adequate financial benefits, they are propelled by a social commitment.

Tauquir Ahmed said, the belief that there is a shortfall of good films has been proved wrong. Citing the names of Tareq Masud, Tanvir Mokammel and Morshedul Islam, he said some well-crafted films are being produced now.

At the beginning of the function, viewers were enthralled by Morshedul Islam's Agami and Tauquir Ahmed's Joyjatra.

On the second day of the festival, three films--AKM Jakaria's Iti Salma, N Rashed Chowdhury's Bismoroner Nodi and Tanvir Mokammel's Chitra Nodir Parey were screened. Three films were screened the following day: Yasmin Kabir's Swadhinata, Abu Sayeed's Abortan and Saidul Anam Tutul's Adhiar. Tarek Shahriar's Kalighar, Manzare Hassin Murad's Amader Chhelera and Abu Sayeed's Kittonkhola will be screened today. On the concluding day tomorrow, Narir Kotha--a documentary by Aminul Islam, Tareq Masud and Catherine Masud--will be screened, followed by the much talked about Matir Moina by Tareq Masud.

Bangladesh Short Film Forum extended assistance to the Chokh Film Society in organising the festival. Sylhet IT & Billiard Zone, a local firm came up with the sponsorship. AKM Imran, President of the Chokh Society said, "We are encouraged by the huge response from the viewers on the very first day of the five-day festival, the first of its kind here. It will inspire us to organise such functions in future."