Mehazabien Chowdhury in Best Actress Race at Raindance

Mehazabien Chowdhury has officially been nominated for Best Actress at the 33rd Raindance Film Festival in the UK for her performance in Saba.

With this, the acclaimed Bangladeshi actress has added another milestone to her growing international journey.

The nomination comes as Saba continues to travel the global festival circuit.

The film, directed by first-time filmmaker Maksud Hossain, first gained international attention when it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Since then, the film has been featured at several renowned festivals.

This included Busan, Red Sea, Gothenburg, Osaka, and Dallas, earning praise for its storytelling and performances.

Now set to be showcased under the Narrative Feature category at Raindance, Saba has also received a nomination for the Discovery Award.

The award highlights new and emerging voices in world cinema.

For Mehazabien, this recognition represents more than just personal success, it marks a significant moment for Bangladeshi cinema on the world stage.

Mehazabien shared her optimism about the future of the country’s film industry.

She said: “I truly believe our stories are universal. This is just the beginning.”

Mehazabien also emphasised the importance of collaboration within the industry.

“With Bangladesh once again making an entry at the Cannes Film Festival, I believe the brilliance of our talent will soon resonate worldwide.

“I hope for more collaboration and support from fellow members of our industry so that, together, we can make it even stronger.”

Despite the film’s international success, Saba has yet to be released in theatres in Bangladesh.

Anticipation is building, with many eager to see the project that has brought such widespread acclaim.

Mehazabien thanked Maksud Hossain for his vision and guidance throughout the project.

His direction has been a key factor in the film’s international success and growing attention from critics and festival juries alike.

The Raindance Film Festival, known for spotlighting bold, independent cinema, will serve as another key platform for Mehazabien and Saba.

Whether or not Mehazabien Chowdhury takes home the award is yet to be seen.

Her fans are overjoyed by the nomination. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of pride and support from admirers across the globe.

One fan commented: “So proud of you, Mehazabien!”

Another wrote: “Saba hasn’t even released here yet, and you’ve already made history. We can’t wait to see you shine on the big screen at home.”