Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) organised the 11th edition of International Inter University Short Film Festival (IIUSFF) in collaboration with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at TSC auditorium of Dhaka University from July 29 to 31.
The slogan of this year’s festival was ‘Better Films, Better Viewers’. The aim of this year’s event was to steer the future of Bangladeshi films towards a better direction.
This year 1,401 short films from over 100 countries were submitted to festival. The shortlisted films were screened at various locations throughout the country and the final screening was held at the TSC auditorium on Tuesday and Wednesday.Participants were awarded in different categories on the last day of the festival.
The Zahir Raihan Best Short 2019 award was presented to the film called Hearth directed by Alisher Zhadigerov from Kazakhstan. Tareque Masud Best Emerging Director 2019 award was presented to the film called Some Ancient Trees directed by Hasnat Sohan from Bangladesh. Best Short Film on Refugees award was won by the film called The Box directed by Merve Cirisoglu Cotur from Turkey. Runner Up Short Film on Refugees award was presented to the film called So Far From Kabul directed by Joel Cartaxo Anjos from France.
And lastly, the Best One Minute Short award was won by the film The Puppet directed by Chethuwang Tripura from Bangladesh.The development officer of UNHCR Carolina Lamarre was present as the chief guest at the ceremony. Filmmaker Abu Shahed Emon, DUFS moderator Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, film activists Biplob Mostafiz, Rashedul Hafiz and younger brother of Tareque Masud as well as notable sound designer Nahid Masud were present at the ceremony as well.
“I am delighted to be here today. This is indeed a prestigious platform for young filmmakers from all over the world to demonstrate their works and talent. Platforms like IIUSFF is incredibly important because of how efficiently they have shed light on the Rohingya crisis and the plight of the displaced from all around the world,” she said.
IIUSFF began its journey in 2007. The festival aims to provide a platform to the young and talented student filmmakers in Bangladesh and abroad for showcasing their works.
