The Bangladeshi short film ‘A Thing About Kashem’ secured the Grand Prize in the Alternative Spirit (Short) category at the Oscar-qualifying Rhode Island International Film Festival.
The film was directed by Bijon Imtiaz. The screenplay was written by Nuhash Humayun, with Bijon himself contributing to the story.
Produced under the banners of Goopy Bagha, Long Story, Screenxcope, the project is backed by producers Arifur Rahman, Nuhash Humayun, Imran Ahmed, Sakib Iftekhar, and Nusrat Amin Supti.
With this achievement, the 17-minute film has taken a step forward on its journey toward the Oscars.
Director Bijon said, “I’m not worried about how the film performs. If people like it, great. If they don’t, that’s fine too.”
The 17-minute film, starring acclaimed actor Intekhab Dinar in the lead role, also features Moutushi Biswas, Hasnat Ripon, Kamruzzaman Tapu, and Tonushree Karkun.
Producer Arifur Rahman said, “Many films enter Oscar-qualifying festivals, but winning the Grand Prize is a different significance altogether. Especially for a Bangladeshi short, it's monumental. Lobbying for the Academy often costs more than the film itself, so winning such a prize already feels like a huge achievement."
The central theme of the 17-minute film revolves around the inner duality of human identity.
The story unfolds as Kashem discovers a different persona within himself, triggering turmoil in his life and exploring how he attempts to control it.
Producer added that the film's theme has universal relevance. "Each of us lives with hidden selves, an inner conflict we carry quietly. The film explores what happens when a man is suddenly forced to face that other existence. It's unsettling but deeply human."
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
