BSA’s ‘Ekal-Sekal’ film festival celebrates Bangladesh’s cinematic heritage

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A three-day film festival titled “Ekal-Sekal” is underway at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), showcasing films from both the golden era of Bangladeshi cinema and contemporary times.

Organised by BSA with support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the festival will continue until Tuesday. The selection includes older films reflecting the country’s cinematic history and heritage, alongside notable recent productions.

The festival was inaugurated yesterday afternoon at the National Art Gallery Auditorium.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, MP, attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest. State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam, MP, and actress Kohinoor Akhtar Suchanda were present as special guests, while filmmaker Tanim Noor attended as the honoured guest.

BSA Director General Rezauddin Stalin delivered the welcome address. Deepak Kumar Goswami, director of the academy’s Drama and Film Department, gave the introductory remarks, while Academy Secretary Mohammad Zakir Hossain delivered the vote of thanks.

At the inauguration, Nitai Roy Chowdhury said additional screenings of the festival films would be arranged based on audience interest. He also announced plans to screen films at the National Theatre Hall and hold a jatra festival in the coming autumn.

The minister said jatra and theatre productions would continue alongside film screenings. He stressed that young people need opportunities for healthy entertainment and cultural activities in addition to their studies.

He also said the prolonged closure of cinemas and limited opportunities for cultural activities had contributed to frustration among a section of the country’s youth. He emphasised the importance of promoting sports, music, dance and cinema, as well as traditional Bengali forms including Bhatiyali, Murshidi, Kabigan and Baul music.

In his welcome address, Rezauddin Stalin said BSA would continue supporting and encouraging young filmmakers, assuring that the academy would remain open to those interested in filmmaking.

He expressed hope that emerging filmmakers would contribute to reviving the golden era of Bangladeshi cinema. He also stressed the importance of films that remain connected to people's lives and uphold artistic values.

The festival began yesterday at 6:00pm with Mejbaur Rahman Sumon’s “Roid”, followed by Zahir Raihan’s acclaimed classic “Jibon Theke Neya” at 8:00pm.

Today, Khan Ataur Rahman’s “Abar Tora Manush Ho” will be screened at 5:30pm, followed by Mohammad Nuruzzaman’s “Mastul” at 8:00pm.

On the final day tomorrow, Amjad Hossain’s “Dui Poishar Alta” will be screened at 5:30pm. Akash Haque’s “The University of Chankharpul” will bring the festival to a close at 8:00pm.

The three-day festival is open to all.