Feature

IUBFPC: From Clicks to Flicks

Sabhanaz Rashid Diya

THE relationship between photography and art is an age-old debate. Comparatively, the understanding between photography and film is new and beautifully intertwined. From still images to moving images, the human mind indulges in boundless imagination that comes into life through his or her creation. In an era of blurred media boundaries, each art lives through another. Perhaps, this is why Independent University Bangladesh caters to a club that takes both film and photography in the same stride and has seen a surge of activities recently.

In inauguration of its newly selected Executive Committee, IUBFPC (Independent University Bangladesh Film & Photography Club) arranged a basic photography workshop for its members and enthusiasts. Hosted by the club on 27 October 2009 at Campus 9, the workshop was facilitated by Pathshala teacher and photographer, Hasib Zakaria. With the participation of 40 eager students, the workshop was a successful arrangement where the founding ideology behind photography was elaborated and students' questions were answered. Zakaria presented on how photography has emerged as a tool of everyday life in the modern world by using breathtaking images. At the end of the session, he was handed over a crest on behalf of the club.

Following the workshop, the club hosted a weeklong film festival where five Oscar Classics were aired. On each day from 1st to 5th November consecutively, volunteers from the club introduced the day's pick to the viewers and the respective movie was shown. The picks were Sound of Music, Casablanca, Gigi, My Fair Lady and West Side Story. All films were shown at Campus 4 at the Department of Media and Communication. After a tiring day of classes and exams, the film festival was a relaxing escapade for students and faculty members likewise, and raised an overwhelming response at the campus.

Jessica T. Suma, Junior Lecturer from the Department of Media and Communication along with club members coordinated the 'Introduction to Photography' workshop and film festival. IUBFPC is a body of student activities under the Department of Media and Communication with its patron, the Head of the Department, G. M. Shahidul Alam. The club is aimed to rouse interest on both film and photography amongst the students and provide in-field experience for all. In future, IUBFPC plans to organize an intra-university photography exhibition, exciting photo walks, film making workshops and festivals.