Staff Correspondent
Peace Film Festival 2019, the first ever film festival in Bangladesh on peace, ended with a 2-day long film screening and award giving ceremony on 22-23 July 2019 from 4:00-9:00pm at Shawkat Osman Auditorium in the capital's Public Library organized by Films 4 Peace Foundation.
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud inaugurates Peace Film Festival 2019 by flying balloons on the Public Library premises in the capital on Monday. And at the award giving ceremony Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, Justice, Bangladesh Supreme Court graced the occasion.
Twenty-three short films were exhibited on among which 6 received unique awards on peace: Enlightenment Award presented to ‘Woman of No Religion’ directed by Towfique Elahi, Essence Award to ‘Nilambor’ by Adhara Das, Aam Naim, Ebon Ahmed, Nazmul Shakil Hossain and Jaber Rayhan, Rising Star Award to ‘Aparajita’ by Shahid Mahmud Abir, Asima Kamal Mowni and Tanzir Ahmed Sami, Standard Award presented to ‘The Brand New Friendship’ by Rahmatullah Tuhin, Judges Choice Award to ‘Tale of an Ecliptic Time’ by Zayed Siddiki, and Ambassador of Peace: Best Director Award was presented to ‘Color of Childhood’ directed by Sahadat Russell which received BDT 50,000.
At the inauguration Dr Hasan Mahmud said, "In the age of rumors that result in the death of innocent people through mass panic of intolerance, there is a need for peace awareness."
The Minister also said, "Film can play a vital role in reducing extremism and promoting peace. Even in this age of information and communication technology and social media, there is no alternative to film to develop humanity and move society on a path to peace."
Shaheen Anam, Director of the Manusher Jonno Foundation, Professor CR Abrar, filmmaker Kawsar Ahmed Chowdhury and Executive Director of Films 4 Peace Foundation Pervez Siddiqui spoke on the role of the film in favour of peace, chaired by the Festival Director Rokeya Prachi.
