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Kolkata Film Fest Bars Bangladeshi Films for Second Year Running
30 Oct
Summary
- Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) has no Bangladeshi films this year
- Bangladeshi film 'Kaffarah' was rejected despite being submitted
- Strained Indo-Bangladeshi ties cited as possible reason for exclusion
In a concerning development, the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) will not showcase any films from Bangladesh for the second consecutive year. This marks a stark contrast to the previous five years, when Bangladeshi cinema had a presence in the festival's competitive segments.
The 31st edition of KIFF, scheduled to take place in 2025, will feature films from 39 countries, including Guatemala, Palestine, Turkey, and several others. However, a Bangladeshi film, 'Kaffarah', which was submitted for consideration, did not make the final cut despite the festival's acknowledgment of its submission.
The exclusion of Bangladeshi films has raised questions about the festival's selection process and the potential impact of strained Indo-Bangladeshi diplomatic ties. Filmmakers from Bangladesh have expressed their disappointment, with one producer, Barkat Hossain Polash, stating that their film 'Kaffarah' was not selected, possibly because it did not fit the festival's preferences.
The absence of Bangladeshi cinema at KIFF is a concerning development, as the festival has historically been a platform for meaningful films from the neighboring country. Filmmakers and industry experts are hopeful that the cultural exchange between the two nations can be revived and that Bangladeshi films will once again find a place at the prestigious Kolkata International Film Festival.
