The Opening Ceremony of the 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival was held on 20 January 2024 at the National Museum of Bangladesh in Dhaka. Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali MP, Finance Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, was the chief guest at the event chaired by the former state minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam MP. Subcontinent’s famous actress Sharmila Thakur and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen were present. After the inauguration ceremony, the film ‘Fereshte’ starring Bangladeshi actress Jaya Ahsan, directed by Iranian filmmaker Mortaza Atash Zamzam and the Bangladesh-India co-production film ‘Mujib: Shaper of a Nation’ directed by Shyam Benegal was screened.
On the occasion, Sharmila Tagore said, “Film is the medium to understand the world. Because images are stronger than any language.” She added, “I feel honored to be nominated as a jury.”
Chief guest Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali announced the opening of the film festival. At that time he said, “Bangladesh makers are going to the big film festivals of the world. They are keeping an eye on what is happening in the world’s film world. Many films have come here from all over the world. I welcome everyone.”
In the concluding speech of the meeting Shahriar Alam MP said, “Film representatives from many countries of the world have come here. Many have come for the first time. I welcome everyone to the Dhaka festival. I feel honored to be with this festival for a long time.” He also said, “I hope this festival will be held on a larger scale in the future.”
Earlier on Saturday at 10 am in the Shilpakala Academy Auditorium of the capital city, the screening program of the children’s film section of the film festival was held. In this episode, Down Syndrome Society of Bangladesh was the program partner. Sardar A Razzak, president of Down Syndrome Society chired the program. The chief guest at the event was Shah Alam, managing director of Neuro Development Protection Trust. Special guests were Ayan Devan Debnath of Campaign Lead Sightsavers and Mahbubul Monir, Secretary General of Sweden Bangladesh. The discussion session was followed by a cultural program with the participation of children with Down syndrome. The Children’s Film category featured “the Trio movie” featuring a Mongolian actor with Down syndrome. Sardar A Razzak, president of the program said during the discussion, children with Down syndrome cannot be considered as a burden. Show love to them. They are also creations of God.