Short films in transformation.

Shafquat Rahman and Ahmed Imtiaz Mohammad, ULAB.

International Short and Independent Film Festival, Dhaka 2016 (ISIFF) is creating an opportunity for the new film makers to do master-classes on film making.

There are many aspiring film makers in Bangladesh who have been overlooked, this festival is a huge platform to let them express their talent by learning more about film making from experienced film makers.

Syed Imran Hussain Kirmany, director of ISIFF said that the goal of this festival is to develop the young minds and to create a sense of International film making process among them.

Festival Director Syed Imran Hussain Kirmany  Photo: Mahmuda Binta Imam

"Now-a-days people can watch films through internet but here they can meet and interact with the film makers from different countries," Kirmany said.

"There will be two master classes for the new film makers which will be taken by Professor Shifi from Beijing Film Institute, China. He will also give the Alamgir Kabir memorial lecture. His film also won both the Gold and Silver award in Berlin Film Festival, he is involved in film making for more than 50 years," Kirmany added.

Md. Abid Mallick, a film maker, said that in the beginning there was not enough scope for making short films where full length feature films takes lot of investments.

"There are many films on YouTube but one cannot find all of it over there, in a film festival there are matter of film selection, Jury board, Committee with a chance to sit and watch so many films at a time. A new film maker cannot afford to go to Germany or China to learn film lessons but this festival is offering master-classes where film directors from those countries will be giving lectures," Mallick said.

He also mentioned that, "One just cannot make a film and declare it as an art film. Directors express their thoughts and mastery in work but time and audience decide whether that film turns into a art or not."

Tamhid Ul Islam Nafi and Sohel Bin Azad Apu both are from North South University and are new film makers, those who joined the festival.

A Young New Film Director Photo: Mahmuda Binta Imam

Apu said, "I have just finished the shooting of my short film which is going through editing panel. I find lack of message in short films made by a new director that is why I try to give messages through my works."   

"I uploaded my first short film on YouTube not knowing that it will block my way to take part with it in any film festival. Now people are getting more knowledge and new horizons are being revealed by this kind of film festivals," Nafi said.

 

There are 109 countries joining this festival. More than 500 films will be shown in National Museum, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bisshow Sahittto Kendro along with Central Public Library, during this festival from 3rd December to 16th December 2016. 

Edited by: Seedra Kalim.