Published: : January 19, 2026, 10:11 AM
The 24th Dhaka International Film Festival came to a close on January 18, ending days of film screenings across several venues and honouring filmmakers from around the world, both new voices and established names, whose works struck a chord with audiences and juries.
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki was scheduled to attend the closing ceremony as chief guest but was unable to do so due to unforeseen reasons. The programme began at 4pm at the Bangladesh National Museum, with Jalal Ahmed, chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, presiding over the event.
After the awards were announced, the evening continued with a special musical performance by director and singer-songwriter Ahmed Hasan Sunny. The ceremony also included a screening of the festival’s Best Film, Kurak.
This year, DIFF presented 245 films from 91 countries, including 44 Bangladeshi productions.
The Best Film Award went to Kurak, directed by Erke Dzhumakmatova and Emil Atageldiev from Kyrgyzstan. Dzhumakmatova, who was present to receive the honour, became emotional while thanking the jury and her team, saying the film was made with deep commitment and passion.
In the Asian Film Competition section, Emin Afandiyev won Best Director for Tənha İnsanın Monoloqu (A Lonely Person’s Monologue). Yerlan Tuleutay received Best Actor for Abel, while Iran’s Fariba Naderi won Best Actress for her role in Shohar-E Setareh (The Husband), directed by Ebrahim Irajzad.
Other notable awards included Best Script Writer for OT (Burning), won by Dastan Madaliev and Aizada Bekbalaeva. Jolanta Dylewska received Best Cinematography for Abel, directed by Elzat Eskendir. A Special Jury Mention for Best Director was awarded to Isfandiyor Ghulomov for Mohi Dar Shast (Fish on the Hook), a Tajikistan–Iran co-production directed by Muhiddin Muzaffar.
A particularly moving moment came in the Bangladesh Panorama section when The University of Chankharpul, directed by Monirul Haque, won the FIPRESCI-Bangladesh Award for Best Full-Length Feature Film. Unable to attend due to traffic, the director was represented by members of the cast, who spoke about the overwhelming audience response during the film’s festival screening.
In the Talent section, Tanha Tabassum’s What If received the FIPRESCI-Bangladesh Award for Best Short Film. Dhet!, directed by Ummid Ashraf, was named first runner-up, while Ishpite by Abir Ferdous Mukhar took second runner-up.
The Women Filmmakers section awarded a Special Mention to Sa Likod Ng Tsapa (Beneath the Badge), directed by Editha Caduaya of the Philippines. The Spiritual Film section also gave a Special Mention to I Lay for You to Sleep by Qatar’s Ali Al Hajri.
The Audience Award went to Drained by Dreams, directed by Shekh Al Mamun, a Bangladesh–South Korea co-production. A Special Audience Award was presented to Shi Jie Ri Chu Shi (All Quiet at Sunrise), directed by Xin Zhu of China.
In the Children’s Film section, the Best Children’s Film Badal Rahman Award was awarded to Qingtong & Kuihua, directed by Chen Kunhou of China.
