“Darkak” Competes at Film Festivals in France and Canada

Independent Bangladeshi filmmaker Zayed Siddiki’s short film "Darkak" has earned spots in the competitive sections of two major international film festivals — the 10th Toulouse Indian Cinema Festival in France and the 14th South Asian Film Festival of Montreal in Canada.

Adapted from a short story by celebrated writer Shahidul Zahir, Darkak explores themes of aging, dignity, and familial neglect through the story of Torab Sheikh, a forgotten father whose disappearance forces his family to reckon with his absence. The film features a moving performance by Jayanta Chattopadhyay, supported by a strong ensemble cast.

In France, Darkak will be screened on April 24 and is one of 13 short films vying for both the Jury Award and Audience Award at Toulouse — a significant platform for South Asian cinema. Meanwhile, in Montreal, the film will compete with 22 other shorts for the Best Short Film Award during the hybrid festival running from April 24 to May 10.

With prior recognition at 16 international festivals across 10 countries, including awards at the Hill Film Festival (Bangladesh) and the Shimla International Film Festival (India), Darkak continues its impressive global journey — now representing Bangladeshi indie cinema on two new international stages.