Bangladesh has secured a spot in the esteemed arena of world cinema. The Bangladeshi short film “Scarlet Echoes” (“Roktim”) has been chosen to compete in the main international category at the 56th Tampere Film Festival 2026, a highly regarded platform for short films globally.
From a pool of 7,125 submissions, only 60 films were selected, with “Scarlet Echoes” being the sole entry from Bangladesh. Written and directed by emerging filmmaker Hemantaa Sadeeq, the film unfolds against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s historical mass uprising in July 2024.
Established in 1970, the Tampere Film Festival holds accreditation from FIAPF and is distinguished as qualifying for the Oscars, BAFTA, and European Film Awards. Alongside France’s Clermont-Ferrand, Tampere is one of two short film festivals worldwide with all three credentials, making inclusion in its main competition an entry into the inner circle of cinema.
“Scarlet Echoes” is a docu-fiction blending real footage from the July protests with a scripted narrative. Following Adnan, a photographer and single father amidst a city in turmoil, the film captures Dhaka in a state of fragility and defiance, brimming with fear, courage, uncertainty, and collective determination.
The visual presentation is striking, predominantly shot in black and white with the strategic use of red symbolizing sacrifice, resistance, and Bangladesh’s flag. Sadeeq opts for observation over argument, steering clear of slogans or judgments.
The film pays homage to the late photojournalist Tahir Zaman Priyo, who lost his life during the protests near Dhaka’s Science Lab. His tragic death served as the emotional impetus for the project, according to the director.
Sadeeq expressed, “Priyo’s death deeply affected me. I felt compelled as a filmmaker to immortalize this significant moment through the lens of cinema, given that most coverage was limited to television news.”
A significant portion of the filming was conducted at personal risk, with Sadeeq and his team braving the chaos armed only with smartphones. Nearly 80% of the footage was captured within protest zones, often under perilous circumstances.
Producer Dilruba Hossain Doyel highlighted that the film was a labor of passion without institutional funding, with every crew member volunteering their services. She emphasized that the project was driven by a sense of urgency rather than ample resources.
“Scarlet Echoes” is set to debut at the 56th edition of the Tampere Film Festival in Finland from March 4 to 8, 2026. The festival organizers have extended a formal invitation to the film’s key creators to attend the premiere screening.
