“This story comes from a deeply personal place."
Sharmin Doja’s documentary A Journey Never Told has officially made its way to New Zealand’s Doc Edge Lab.
It follows the quiet life of an elderly man navigating emotional isolation after retirement.
Though living among loved ones, he grows increasingly distanced from the world around him.
The story mirrors the personal experience of Sharmin, who was moved by her own father’s slow withdrawal from society due to hearing loss.
She shared: “This story comes from a deeply personal place.
“Watching my father become cut off from conversation changed how I viewed ageing.”
She uses this documentary to give voice to a demographic often ignored in mainstream narratives.
Sharmin, already respected in Bangladesh’s film industry for her work in sound, is now breaking ground as a director.
As one of the few female professionals in a highly male-dominated technical field, her shift to directing marks a bold new chapter.
Selected for the Doc Edge Lab among 23 global entries, A Journey Never Told was pitched before major industry figures.
These included representatives from NHK Japan, DOK Leipzig, the New Zealand Film Commission, Screen Australia, and others.
Though the project did not win an international award, it captured strong interest from producers and festival organisers.
Sharmin said: “This was our first chance to pitch to such a global audience. The exposure and feedback were unforgettable.”
She credited the Doc Edge Lab with opening rare opportunities for filmmakers from underrepresented regions.
The documentary was produced by Masrur Masud, known in the industry as Nahid Masud.
He is not only Sharmin’s husband but also the brother of the renowned late filmmaker Tareque Masud.
Nahid said international stakeholders were curious about the project due to its origin.
He noted: “Bangladeshi documentaries rarely enter these spaces. That curiosity helped spark meaningful conversations about our industry.”
Both Sharmin and Nahid travelled to New Zealand on June 25, 2025, to attend the final pitching sessions, which will run until July 13.
The lab helps shortlisted projects secure pre-production, production, or post-production support.
The film had already earned recognition at home after winning an award at the Dhaka International Film Festival’s DocLab section.
Now, with international attention building, the project looks set to extend its journey beyond South Asia.
For many in the Bangladeshi film community, the selection of A Journey Never Told at such a prestigious forum marks a hopeful step forward.
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