Entertainment Report :
Popular actress Azmeri Haque Badhon, known for her powerful portrayals of female characters such as ‘Rehana’ in film ‘Rehana Maryam Noor’ and ‘Sultana’ in the film ‘Guti’, is an active advocate for women’s rights.
The 23rd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF), set to run from January 11 to 19, 2025, in Dhaka, has announced its jury for the Women Filmmakers Section.
The panel features a talented lineup of filmmakers, producers, and actresses as jurors, including Azmeri Haque Badhon, Chinese Producer Mei Po Rainbow Fong, Bangladeshi filmmaker Leesa Gazi and Iranian actress Hoda Moghaddam Manesh.
Mei Po Rainbow Fong is a producer and the artistic director of the China Golden Rooster Awards/Film Festival, foreign films section. She served as a jury member to various international film festivals including the Hawaii International Film Festival, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the World Film Critic Awards for Arabs Films, and the Guanajuato International Film Festival.
Hoda Moghaddam Manesh won the Best Actress award at the Ahmedabad International Film Festival in India for her role in the movie ‘Life & Life’, directed by Ali Ghavitan.
She has also been invited to film festivals in Italy, Russia, Germany, Morocco, and Spain, including notable events in places like the Baikal region, Parshim, Casablanca, and Marbella.
Leesa Gazi has dedicated her career to presenting stories told from women’s perspectives. Her debut feature film titled’A House Named Shahana,’ garnered acclaim and awards. Currently, she is developing her second feature titled ‘Shasti’ (Punishment), and serves as a founding member of the Global Survivors’ Network, SEMA.
The Women Filmmakers Section at this year’s DIFF will showcase a range of full-length feature films along with short films and documentaries, all created by female filmmakers. An independent jury comprising female filmmakers, cultural experts, artists, and professionals will be selected by the Festival Committee to evaluate this segment of the competition. International juries appointed by the festival will choose one documentary and one fiction film as winners.
The directors of the winning films will receive a certificate and a crest as awards. Additionally, an award will be presented for Best Director in the Women Filmmakers Category, consisting of a certificate and a crest.
Films eligible for this section must have been produced between 2023 and 2024, with a minimum runtime of 70 minutes. Documentaries and short films, with a maximum length of 30 minutes, may also be included in the Women Filmmakers Section.
The film screenings will take place at several venues, including the Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, National Museum Auditorium, Green University of Bangladesh Auditorium, and North South University Auditorium. All screenings are free of charge with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
