‘Sand City’ Wins at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

Bangladeshi film Sand City has won the Proxima Grand Prix at the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

Directed by Mahde Hasan, the film was selected as the best in the Proxima section, earning a $15,000 cash prize and international acclaim.

The Karlovy Vary Festival, held annually in the Czech town, concluded on July 12, 2025.

The festival concluded following eight days of screenings, discussions, and cinematic celebration.

This year’s festival showcased compelling voices from around the globe, with Sand City emerging as one of its most memorable entries.

In their citation, the international jury praised the film as “a distinctive narrative where silence and loneliness unfold as a deeply human language”.

The honour marks a significant achievement for Bangladeshi cinema on an international platform, which is traditionally dominated by European and North American productions.

Sand City explores themes of solitude and longing through minimalist storytelling.

The film’s meditative pace and use of silence as narrative weight resonated strongly with critics and audiences at Karlovy Vary.

Mahde Hasan’s film stood out among other Proxima contenders for its poetic realism and human depth.

The award not only acknowledges the film’s artistic strength but also signals a broader recognition of South Asian storytelling.

The main competition also offered standout moments.

Czech-Slovak documentary Better Go Mad in the Wild, directed by Miro Remo, took home the Crystal Globe, the festival’s top prize.

This documentary, infused with humour and heart, portrays the isolated yet resilient lives of two eccentric brothers.

It highlights disconnection and individuality in a world that often values conformity.

The Special Jury Prize was presented to Bidad, a film by Iranian director Soheil Beiraghi, recognised for its compelling social commentary.

Best Director honours were jointly awarded to Vytautas Katkus for The Visitor and Nathan Ambrosioni for Out of Love.

Pia Tjelta earned the Best Actress award for her performance in the Norwegian film Don’t Call Me Mama.

Alex Brendemühl received Best Actor for his role in When a River Becomes the Sea, a Spanish drama that moved audiences with its emotional weight.

For Bangladesh, Sand City’s win offers a moment of pride and possibility.

As Mahde Hasan’s film garners international attention, it opens doors for future filmmakers from the region to share their stories with the world.