Bengali cinema in New York, beginning of a new chapter in United States

A new chapter is about to begin in the promotion and expansion of Bengali cinema in the United States. The grand first edition of the 'New York Bangla Film Festival' is going to be held at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in New York on August 2.

This year's event is set to become a gathering of Bengali-speaking audiences, filmmakers, artists, technicians, and culture lovers living in the United States. The festival will screen selected Bengali films and present special awards in various categories. There will also be participation from prominent film personalities, actors, producers, and guests from home and abroad, cultural performances, and a red carpet event.

According to the organizers, the main goal of the New York Bengali Film Festival is to make Bengali films more widely known in the international arena, encourage new filmmakers, and play a role in the development of the Bengali language and culture worldwide.

Everyone, including film lovers, media workers, and expatriate Bangladeshis, are invited to attend the event and make this international event a success.

This Bengali Film Festival is jointly organized by Priyojan Films and Lemon Studio. The American Bangladeshi Producers Association (ABPA) is providing overall support. All Bengali films made in three categories - short films, documentary films and full-length films - will be screened here for 3 days from July 30. At the same time, awards will be given to the best in all categories.

In this regard, Olive Ahmed, convener of the New York-Bangla Film Festival, said, "We are trying to create a platform for Bengali films in America. We don't want to just give away dance and songs and the crest to the masses of visa holders."

Member Secretary Litu Anam said, "We have the American Bangladeshi Producers Association with us in this event. They have assured us that they will invest in the best." Filmmaker Piklu Chowdhury and Program Director Tanvir Sunny are the festival directors.

A 3-day film exhibition has been organized before the main event. The first day of this exhibition will be on July 30, where the short film 'Bilai', the documentary film 'Concert for Bangladesh' and the full-length film 'Naya Manush' by Sohel Rana Boyati will be screened. The second day will be on July 31, where the short films 'Ishpite' and 'The Eternal Journey' and the full-length film 'Deyaler Desh' by Mishuk Monir will be screened. The third day will be on August 1, where the short films 'American Dream' and 'Eid Mubarak' by Zayed Khan will be screened and the full-length films, 'Biswasa Khan Bhai' by Raisul Islam Anik and 'Shikar' by Prasun Rahman will be screened. The main event will be held on August 2. A significant number of film stars from Bangladesh have already traveled to New York to participate in it.

As this is the first edition of the New York-Bangla Film Festival, the best films of the last 3 years (2023-2025), best actors, best directors, singers and crew will be awarded in a total of 20 categories. Bioscope Films will be given special honors for its special contribution to the globalization of Bengali cinema, and Star Cineplex will be given special honors for its important role in modernizing cinema halls in Bangladesh, bringing audiences back to theaters, introducing modern exhibition systems and expanding the market for domestic films. Legendary actor Ahmed Sharif will be given the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Bengali cinema.