A moment of pride for Bangladesh’s film industry as two films from the country have been officially nominated at the 21st Kazan International Film Festival in Russia. Among the nominated works is a short film and a full-length documentary, highlighting Bangladesh’s growing presence in global cinema.

The nominated short film is “The Pair of White Pigeons”, directed by Shahriar Azad Shoumik, while the documentary, titled “Mighty Afrin: In the Time of Floods”, is directed by Angelos Rallis. The documentary is a collaborative international production involving Greece, France, Germany, and Bangladesh.

“The Pair of White Pigeons” is inspired by Shahriar Azad’s childhood memories. Growing up in a remote village in Jhikargacha, Jessore, the director shared that the film reflects his emotional connection to rural life, nature, and the complex human psyche. “This short film captures many of the feelings and incidents from my childhood,” he said. “It tells the story of rural life through the symbolic lens of a pair of white pigeons.” The film features performances by SK Shahriar and Shaheen Hossain.

On the other hand, the documentary “Mighty Afrin: In the Time of Floods” follows the journey of a brave 12-year-old girl named Afrin, who lives on an isolated island on the Brahmaputra River. When a devastating flood hits, she embarks on a dangerous mission to find her missing father. The documentary powerfully portrays the struggles of climate refugees and the harsh realities of flooding in Bangladesh. The 1 hour and 32-minute film stars Afrin Khanom, Bannya Akter, Feroza Begum, and others.

The Kazan International Film Festival is set to begin on September 5, where both the directors and producers of the nominated films are expected to participate in person.

This international recognition is seen as a significant milestone for Bangladesh’s cinematic landscape, signaling a new era of storytelling that resonates globally.