In a historic feat for Bangladeshi cinema, filmmaker Adnan Al Rajeev and his team have brought home the country’s first-ever award from the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, winning a Special Jury Mention for their short film “Ali”.
Rajeev confirmed the news on his social media platforms from Cannes, writing: “This is for Bangladesh. Thank You Festival de Cannes.”
Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki congratulated the team in a Facebook post, saying: “Congratulations Adnan Al Rajeev and team ‘Ali’ for winning Special Jury Mention at Festival de Cannes! Very very proud of you all.”
Celebrated actress and Rajeev’s wife, Mehazabien Chowdhury, also shared her excitement, posting: “Bangladesh just got its first award from Cannes!!! Congrats Adnan Al Rajeev and Team ALI!!!!”
The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival concluded on Saturday night in the picturesque coastal town in southern France. The 12-day cinematic celebration came to an end with an award ceremony at the iconic Grand Théâtre Lumière inside the Palais des Festivals.
Amid red-carpet glamour, world premieres, and industry networking at Marché du Film, this year’s official selection included 11 short films from among 4,781 global submissions. Ali was among the few chosen for the competition and was screened at the Debussy Theatre and Bazin Theatre on Friday.
Directed by Adnan Al Rajeev, Ali is a 15-minute narrative that follows the story of a teenager living in a conservative coastal town in Bangladesh, where women are forbidden to sing. Hoping for a way out, the boy enters a singing competition in the city — with a twist: he can sing in a female voice.
The official screening of Ali was attended by the film’s director, cast, producers, and members of the Bangladeshi delegation.
Cannes has long been a dream stage for Bangladeshi filmmakers. That dream was first conquered in 2002 when Tareque Masud’s “Matir Moina” was selected for the Directors' Fortnight section.
In 2021, Abdullah Mohammad Saad’s “Rehana Maryam Noor” became the first Bangladeshi film to be included in the festival’s official selection, under the Un Certain Regard section.
With Ali becoming the first Bangladeshi film to win an official Cannes award, industry insiders are hailing the moment as a significant milestone in the country’s cinematic history.
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
