At the Dhaka University Film Society’s Amar Bhashar Chalachitra festival (DUFS), filmmaker Monirul Haque Akash’s movie “The University of Chankharpul” received the Hiralal Sen Award 1432. The film also secured the Best Screenplay accolade. The festival concluded on Sunday evening with the award ceremony.
Commencing on February 3, the six-day film festival dubbed “Amar Bhashar Chalachitra 1432” kicked off at the Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University. The event featured a total of 20 feature films and three short films, spanning both contemporary and classic works.
During the award ceremony on Sunday evening, film critic Bidhan Rebeiro conferred the Hiralal Sen Award upon Akash Haque. Notable attendees included Tarek Ahmed, director of Dhaka Doc Lab, and Professor Habiba Rahman, the Dhaka University Film Society’s moderator.
Earlier, the movie had generated buzz following its recognition at the Dhaka International Film Festival. Plans are underway for its upcoming theatrical release.
Expressing his gratitude for the award, Akash Haque remarked, “Receiving any award brings joy and enhances the satisfaction derived from the work. It’s particularly gratifying to receive another award after the recognition at the Dhaka International Film Festival.”
Moreover, Tamim Noor’s film “Utshob” clinched awards for Best Director, Cinematography, and Sound Design.
The annual festival, held at the TSC in honor of the Language Movement, commenced with the screening of “Ekhane Rajnoitik Alap Joruri,” directed by Ahmed Hasan Sunny, at 6:30 pm. The film, starring Imtiaz Barshon as Noor, a Bangladeshi residing abroad, premiered nationwide on January 16.
The festival also featured screenings of renowned films such as Sunil Bandyopadhyay’s “Deya Neya,” Alamgir Kabir’s “Surjo Konna,” and others, including Monirul Haque’s “The University of Chankharpul,” Harunur Rashid’s “Megher Onek Rong,” and Tareque Masud’s “Muktir Gaan.”
The closing day’s lineup included screenings of three feature films and three short films, starting with Belal Ahmed’s “Noyoner Alo” and concluding with Kolkata-based Joybrat Das’s “The Academy of Fine Arts.”
