Published: May 25, 2025, 02:07 PM
In a groundbreaking moment for Bangladeshi cinema, Adnan Al Rajeev’s short film Ali has secured the country’s first-ever award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, earning a Special Jury Mention. This historic win not only shines a spotlight on Bangladeshi storytelling on the global stage but also marks a proud milestone in the nation`s cinematic journey.
The news was confirmed by Rajeev himself through a heartfelt social media post from Cannes, where he wrote, “This is for Bangladesh. Thank You Festival de Cannes.” The film, a poignant 15-minute narrative, centers on a teenager from a conservative coastal town in Bangladesh, where cultural norms prevent women from singing. Defying societal constraints, the boy enters a citywide singing competition, astonishing everyone with his ability to sing in a female voice.
Celebrations poured in from across the Bangladeshi cultural community. Esteemed filmmaker and Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki shared his pride on Facebook, congratulating the team. Actress Mehazabien Chowdhury, Rajeev’s wife, expressed her joy, declaring, “Bangladesh just got its first award from Cannes!”
The 78th Cannes Film Festival wrapped up on Saturday with an elegant ceremony at the Grand Théâtre Lumière in the Palais des Festivals, capping off 12 days of cinematic celebration. Out of 4,781 short film entries from around the globe, only 11 were selected for official competition. Ali was among these elite few and was screened at the Debussy and Bazin Theatres, drawing attention and praise.
While Bangladeshi films have previously made their presence known at Cannes - such as Tareque Masud’s Matir Moina in 2002 and Abdullah Mohammad Saad’s Rehana Maryam Noor in 2021 - Ali is the first to bring home an official award. Industry experts are already calling this a landmark moment for Bangladesh’s growing film industry, setting the stage for more recognition in the years to come.
