British Council unveils policy study to guide inclusive growth of film industry
The British Council unveiled a comprehensive policy review on 10 December 2025 aimed at strengthening Bangladesh's film ecosystem through evidence-based research and inclusive stakeholder engagement.
The report was launched at an event at the British Council's Fuller Road premises in Dhaka, bringing together stakeholders from government, finance, the creative economy, international cultural bodies and the film sector to discuss the future of the country's screen industry.
The policy review is part of the landmark study Cinema as a Creative Industry: Mapping Bangladesh's Film Ecosystem and Inclusive Growth Potential. Led by lead researcher Dr Imran Firdaus and commissioned by the British Council, the study is being implemented by Dhaka DocLab, combining the British Council's global research approach with local industry insight.
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The research maps the current landscape, assesses existing policies and puts forward recommendations to support sustainable and inclusive development of the film sector.
The British Council announced that the study's full mapping report—incorporating recommendations gathered through nationwide consultations—will be released in January 2026. Since beginning in February 2025, the initiative has drawn on surveys and discussions with producers, independent filmmakers, cinema hall owners, students and other stakeholders.
In her welcome remarks, Maarya Rehman, Deputy Director of the British Council in Bangladesh, said: "We are proud to support this landmark study, which aims to ensure that diverse voices across the film sector—from producers to students—are represented in shaping the industry's vibrant future. This reflects our broader commitment to supporting the creative economy in Bangladesh."
Dr Firdaus presented key findings from the research, followed by an interactive Q&A session where participants highlighted challenges, opportunities and the need for coordinated policy support.
Commenting on the initiative, Chorki's Lead, Innovation and Implementation, Adar Rahman, said that independent research of this scale could help reveal the true state of the market. "It's promising that such an initiative is being taken… Through this kind of research, the true reality will become clear to everyone."
British Council representatives described the event as an important step forward and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting ethical, evidence-driven growth of Bangladesh's creative industries.
