The 78th cannes film Festival is set to showcase a new era in global cinema. The prestigious Palme d’Or award, considered the pinnacle of achievement in cinema, will be bestowed upon the best in the short film category. This year, a Bangladeshi film, “Ali,” has been officially selected for the Short Film competition, marking a historic milestone for the country’s film industry. The film, directed by Adnan Al Rajeev, will be competing alongside films from across the globe in the highly anticipated short film category. This achievement is a testament to the growing influence of Bangladeshi cinema, which has been steadily gaining recognition on the international stage. Key Highlights:
- “Ali” is the first Bangladeshi short film to be selected for the Cannes Short Film competition.
- The film will compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or in the short film category.
- The film was directed by Adnan Al Rajeev and produced by Bangladesh’s Tanveer Hossain and the Philippines’ Kristine De Leon.
Key People:
- Director: Adnan Al Rajeev
- Producer: Tanveer Hossain
- Executive Producer: Habibur Rahman Tarek
The film’s director, Adnan Al Rajeev, and producer, Tanveer Hossain, have expressed their excitement and pride over the achievement. “This milestone is sure to delight film enthusiasts in the country and, more importantly, inspire young filmmakers,” said producer Tanveer Hossain. “We don’t usually give short films the attention they deserve. But it is through such work that a young and new filmmaker matures and gains experience.”
The film was produced under the banner of Catalogue, a production company founded by Adnan Al Rajeev, Tanveer Hossain, Kristine De Leon, and Arvin Belarmino. Catalogue was established to foster connections in filmmaking across South and Southeast Asia. The company’s mission is to promote and support emerging filmmakers in the region. Awards and Recognition:
| Palme d’Or | Best Short Film |
| Cannes film festival | 78th Edition |
The film’s story is a personal and introspective journey that explores an unavoidable truth. According to director Adnan Al Rajeev, the film’s approach was to present the story in a simple, beautiful, and sincere way. The film was shot in Sylhet in November 2024. The film’s executive producer, Habibur Rahman Tarek, expressed his confidence in the project from the beginning. “I know the director and the producers personally, and I’m well aware of the kind of work they do. That gave me confidence in the project. I paid special attention to its quality. I firmly believe that we have now gained the capacity to produce work of international standards.”
The Cannes Film Festival is a premier platform for global cinema, and Bangladesh’s participation in the 78th edition marks a significant milestone. The festival will showcase a diverse range of films from around the world, and Bangladesh’s official entries are expected to make a strong impact. The film “Agapito” from the Philippines, co-directed by Arvin and Kylar, will also be competing in the main competition category, making Bangladesh a strong contender for the Palme d’Or. Bangladesh’s representation at the 78th Cannes Film Festival is a testament to the country’s growing influence in global cinema. The country’s film industry has been steadily gaining recognition, and this achievement is a significant step towards establishing Bangladesh as a major player in the global film industry.
Conclusion
Bangladesh has made a significant mark at the 78th Cannes Film Festival with its official entries in the short film category. The film “Ali” has been selected for the Palme d’Or, marking a historic milestone for the country’s film industry. This achievement is a testament to the growing influence of Bangladeshi cinema and the country’s commitment to producing high-quality films that compete on the global stage.
