3rd Int'l Film Festival begins in city Mar 1

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is expected to inaugurate the fortnight- long festival at Shilpakala Academy.

A total of 150 films including 120 foreign films from 55 countries will be screened at different auditoriums and cinema halls in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Chittagong during the festival.

The festival has been organised by Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies (BFFS) in association with Bangladesh Motion Picture Exhibitors Association, Bangladesh Film Producers and Distributors Association, Bangladesh Film Directors Association, Bangladesh Cinematographers Society, Bangladesh Film Artists Association and Bangladesh Film Editors Gild.

The International Federation of Film Societies (IFFS) is the international partner of the event.

BFFS has formed a 41-member steering committee to conduct the festival.

Inam Ahmed Chowdhury, advisor of BFFS and chairman of Privatisation Commission, has been elected its chairman.

Besides, an 81-member Festival Advisory Committee led by Information Minister M Shamsul Islam has already been formed.

Speaking at a press conference in the city yesterday, Inam Ahmed said our young moviemakers would learn a lot from these movies and help contribute to the development of Bangladeshi feature films.

Golam Rabbani Biplob, director of the festival, said around 50 international film personalities are expected to attend the festival.

"Lifetime achievement awards will be given to five Bangladeshi film producer, director, actor or actress, cinematographer and music director for their contribution to the film industry of the country," he said.

Besides, three prizes worth US $ 10,000 will be given in the International Competition Section, he added.

Best film award will be given in six categories.

BFFS President Azad Rahman, and President of Bangladesh Film Editors Gild Abdul Latif Bachchu were present on the occasion.

Films will be screened from March 2 to 11 at the auditorium of Central Public Library, Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall of National Museum, Shishu Academy and Shilpakala Academy in the capital. Besides, films will be shown at 15 cinema halls of Dhaka and Narayanganj from March 3 to 9.

Films will also be shown at Studio Theatre and Muslim Institute in Chittagong from March 10 to 16.

Besides, films will be screened at two cinema halls and a seminar will be held in the port city on March 14.