After a busy few months at the box office, two new Bangladeshi features — “Bachelor in Trip” and “Bandhob” — arrive in cinemas today, joining seven other recent releases competing for audience attention across the country.

In Bangladesh, the hardest thing for many women to own is not a dream; it’s placing her name on a deed. Barir Naam Shahana begins there, with the stubborn courage it takes to write a woman’s name into a house, a life, a future. That stubbornness has carried writer-director Leesa Gazi from a 2011 novella to an Oscar journey she still calls “unexpected.” 

Bangladesh has joined the list of nations announcing their contenders for the 98th Academy Awards.  At a press conference at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka this morning, the Bangladesh Oscar Committee declared Leesa Gazi’s film “Barir Naam Shahana” (A House Named Shahana) as the country’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category.  

After travelling the international festival circuit, two acclaimed films — “Fereshteh” and “Barir Naam Shahana” — are finally being released for audiences in Bangladesh. Starting today, both titles will screen across local theatres. Alongside these, Japanese anime blockbuster “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” has also been showing since Tuesday (September 16) at Star Cineplex.

Five Bangladeshi films have been submitted for consideration in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. The Bangladesh Oscar Committee will select one title to represent the country.

After winning awards at international film festivals in London, Chicago, Melbourne, Rome, and Mumbai, the much-discussed film “Barir Naam Shahana” is set for release in Bangladesh on September 19, director Leesa Gazi has announced. This marks Gazi’s debut as a feature filmmaker.

The film “Barir Naam Shahana” (A House Named Shahana) is set to be released in theatres across Bangladesh. Directed by Leesa Gazi, the film is produced under the banners of Goopy Bagha Productions Limited and Komola Collective. The announcement was made on Thursday (21 August) hnight through a Facebook post by Goopy Bagha Productions Limited.

The narrative, based on actual events, unfolds in a small town in 1990s Bangladesh, where the film's protagonist, Dipa, portrayed with resilience and conviction by Aanon Siddiqua, grapples with the aftermath of a failed marriage, societal taboos, and the weight of family honour. Aanon’s acting prowess, coupled with the raw emotions portrayed throughout the runtime, is bound to leave the audience in awe.

In a significant milestone for South Asian cinema, Leesa Gazi's debut feature film, “Barir Naam Shahana” (A House Named Shahana), has been selected for the main competition at the prestigious Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2023. The film's recognition comes on the heels of receiving the Gender Sensitivity Award from the Film Critics Guild of India, where Aditya Srikrishna, Bharti Pradhan, and Stuti Ghosh served as jury members.