Bangladeshi short film Ali, directed by Adnan Al Rajeev, has brought international pride to the country by receiving a Special Mention at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. It is the first time a Bangladeshi film has earned official recognition in Cannes’ Short Film competition.
Produced by Bangladesh’s Tanveer Hossain and the Philippines’ Kristine De Leon, Ali was one of the selected films competing for the prestigious Palme d'Or in the short film category. The recognition highlights the film’s simple yet powerful storytelling and artistic merit.
The film was shot in Sylhet in November 2024. It tells the story of a personal journey, capturing an unavoidable truth with honesty and emotion. Director Adnan Al Rajeev said the film aimed to present a heartfelt experience in a simple and beautiful way. From the beginning, executive producer Habibur Rahman Tarek believed that Ali would connect with audiences worldwide.
The project was made under the banner of Catalogue, a production company co-founded by Adnan Al Rajeev, Tanveer Hossain, Kristine De Leon, and Arvin Belarmino. The company’s goal is to support creative ties between filmmakers in South and Southeast Asia. Interestingly, another short film from the same company, Agapito from the Philippines, was also selected for Cannes’ main short film competition this year.
This international achievement is a proud milestone for Bangladeshi cinema. The recognition of Ali is expected to inspire young filmmakers in the country and raise Bangladesh’s position in the global film scene. It proves that Bangladeshi storytellers are capable of creating works that touch hearts far beyond their own land.
