::: Star Insight :::

Celebrating Life

Insight Desk

IUB Becomes a Part of Celebrating Life

Dhaka was waiting to watch the ten films produced by the participants of “Celebrating Life Film Making Workshop”. Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) was the first venue to screen the films and also to exhibit the winning photographs of 2011. Both the film show and the exhibition excited the students and the staff of IUB thus creating encouragement to potential film makers and photographers.
.................................................................................................

Zia Nazmul Islam

It was the first time that the films produced from the highly successful celebrating life film workshop were being screened in Dhaka, and it was in one of the largest private universities - Independent University Bangladesh (IUB). IUB is one the first universities to offer courses in the field of media & communication (Including film and television). If that isn't enough, this institution held a significant role in the workshop as - Dr. Zakir Hossain Raju was an important speaker at the workshop teaching critical aspects about film making. Moreover, Humaira Bilkis, a former lecturer at IUB – upon selection at the workshop, took leave from work and participated in the workshop. Now she works for a renowned director.

The event was held on 7th June, the first session starting at 11 am and next session at 2 pm. The magnificent auditorium of IUB was almost full before the show could start. There was also the added attraction of the photo exhibition on display right outside the auditorium. All the winning photographs of 2011 were on display, mesmerizing the onlookers.

The Vice Chancellor of IUB Prof. Omar Rahman graced the event with his presence along with Prof. Nazrul Islam (dean of the school of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences) and Dr. G.M. Shahidul Alam (head of the department of Media & Communications) – who is also the chief patron of the IUB Film Club as well as the Photography Club was also present. The VC along with the department heads; gave brief speeches that inspired the audience to participate in events more like Celebrating Life and thanked The Daily Star and the Standard Chartered Bank for organizing such events. Events like this bring out the creative talents in the youth and give them hope that they can to be a film maker, a skilled photographer or a lyricist.

The workshop course directors' Nurul Alam Atique, Amitabh Reza and Mejbaur Rahman Sumon arrived at the event and participated in a lively interactive session with the audience. The event ended at 4 pm – leaving all encouraged, inspired and with the feeling of success.

The event couldn't have been possible without the wholehearted assistance of the Tazeen Ahmed (lecturer and IUB Film Club coordinator) and the club's enthusiastic members; Ehsan, Shahenshah and Shobuj. The same gratitude goes to Jessica Tartilla (lecturer and IUB Photography Club coordinator) and her students; Shakil, Tausif, Sanjid and Riasat.

Independent University is a patron of creativity and young talents. They assisted the 'Celebrating Life' team with enthusiasm and the relationship between The Daily Star and IUB will carry on for years to come. We can only hope that more institutions such as IUB come up in our country to further enlighten the creative geniuses of tomorrow.

A similar event was held at Shanto-Mariam University on the 9th June and another one at ULAB on the 27th June respectively. Keep your eye on The Daily Star and find the “Celebrating Life Contests” group on Facebook for updates.