“This is more than a showcase."
Jagannath University has entered the cultural spotlight with the launch of its first-ever film festival.
The festival opened to an enthusiastic crowd on June 23, 2025.
It was held at the Chitrashala Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The Jagannath University Film Festival 2025 is a three-day celebration of young cinematic talent from across the country.
The event was organised by the university’s Film Society, with support from the Academy, under the theme “Where Stories Take Flight”.
Over 70 films were submitted by emerging directors and student filmmakers.
Many selected entries from these are being screened throughout the festival.
On its inaugural day, screenings took place from 11 am to 3 pm.
This was followed by a special session hosted at Jagannath University’s CSE Department via video conference.
Festival Director Ragib Shahriar Saikat noted the overwhelming response from youth across Bangladesh.
He emphasised the festival’s mission to spotlight fresh voices and encourage creative storytelling in the country’s film scene.
Festival President Adnan Mahmud Saikat said:
“This is more than a showcase. It’s the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream to give young filmmakers a national platform.”
The event drew a diverse crowd, including students, directors, film enthusiasts, and university faculty.
Many key figures were present at the festival’s opening ceremony.
Among these were Assistant Professor Sharif Siraj from the Bangla Department and part-time Film and Television lecturer Samiun Haque Dola.
Hasibuzzaman Rick, General Secretary of the Film Society, said the festival was the result of tireless work.
He said that the students were determined to bring cinema into academic life.
The General Secretary shared:
“We’ve worked relentlessly to make this happen. This is going to be a one-of-a-kind experience for film lovers.”
The festival’s jury features some of the country’s most respected film personalities.
This includes Bidhan Riberu, Syed Ahmed Shawki, and Sadia Khaled Riti.
They will be the ones who will evaluate the entries for artistic merit, storytelling, and innovation.
On June 24, the festival continued with a second round of short film screenings.
A masterclass by filmmaker Raka Noushin Nawar was also scheduled and promised hands-on insights into the craft and challenges of modern filmmaking.
The Jagannath University Film Festival 2025 will conclude on June 25, but organisers hope its legacy will extend well beyond.
For many in attendance, it marks the beginning of a new chapter for young Bangladeshi cinema.
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