'Boidesh' selected for Migration Film Festival

The country's first-ever 'Migration Film Festival-2026' is set to take place, featuring the short film 'Boidesh' in its official selection. The festival revolves around the multifaceted human experiences of migration, displacement, dreams, struggle, identity crisis, separation and the quest for a new life.

The festival authorities recently released the official selection list. From numerous submissions received from home and abroad, a total of 23 films were chosen based on the jury's evaluation. Of these, 13 films fall under the National category and 10 under the International category. Winners in various categories will be announced from among these selected films.

'Boidesh' is directed by Evan Monwar, with Sabbir Ahmed Shraban serving as creative director. According to the filmmakers and cast, the film's inclusion in the country's first international-quality migration-themed film festival is a significant acknowledgement of their creative efforts.

The festival will take place on July 29 at the Liberation War Museum in the capital. The day-long event will feature screenings of the selected domestic and international films, along with audience-filmmaker interactions, discussions and various film-related activities with filmmakers in attendance.

Director Evan Monwar said, "Securing a place in the official selection is a matter of immense joy and pride for the entire team. Getting the opportunity to showcase our work at such an internationally recognised event is a great inspiration for us."

Creative Director Sabbir Ahmed Shraban said, "Migration is not just a story of moving from one place to another; it is a story of human dreams, memories, love, sacrifice and identity. 'Boidesh' attempts to capture those human emotions through the language of cinema. Being selected for the country's first Migration Film Festival is a great honour for our entire team."

According to the festival organisers, while the realities of migration differ across the world, the human bonds of dreams, struggle, uncertainty, the pain of separation from loved ones and the desire to build a new future remain universal. The festival's primary objective is to present these realities to a global audience through cinema.

The team behind 'Boidesh' has invited film enthusiasts, cultural workers, media personnel and audiences to participate in the festival. They hope the film, made on the important social and humanitarian subject of migration, will encourage audiences to think differently and spark broader discussions on contemporary realities.

Those associated with the film believe that the 'Migration Film Festival-2026' is not merely a film festival; it is a significant confluence of the multidimensional realities of migration, human values and artistic practice. At the same time, the initiative will play a vital role in showcasing Bangladeshi cinema on the international stage and inspiring a new generation of filmmakers.