Chattogram to host first Int’l All Women Film Festival from 4-6 Sept
The three-day event will celebrate women filmmakers from around the world
Chattogram is set to host the inaugural of Chattogram International All Women Film Festival 2025 (CIAWFF), a three-day celebration of women filmmakers from around the world.
The festival will take place from 4 to 6 September at the Alliance Française de Chittagong, with all screenings from 4pm to 8pm daily open to the public, according to a press release.
Organisers said the festival aims to inspire women directors globally by showcasing their films and documentaries. The festival, jointly organised by "Film for Us" and the Asian University for Women (AUW) Film Club with support from ConnectHER, will feature competitions in two categories — Best Fiction and Best Documentary.
The competition segment will feature 13 films — seven fictions and six documentaries. In addition, 12 Palestinian films and 15 movies from ConnectHER will also be screened at the festival.
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On the opening day, 4 September, the nominated films under the competition section will be screened following the inauguration ceremony. On 5 September, 12 Palestinian films, all made by independent female filmmakers, will be screened for the audience, resonating strong messages of solidarity in the face of brutal adversities.
On the final day, 6 September, 15 ConnectHER films will be screened. On the same day, awards for the films selected in the competition category will be announced and distributed, followed by the closing ceremony.
Festival Director Masudur Rahman said preparations for the opening ceremony are going on in full swing. "Women filmmakers from five countries have joined this inaugural edition. The stories of women filmmakers reflect resilience, struggle, and hope, and we want to present that to the audience."
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki welcomed the initiative. "I am delighted to see such a festival taking place in Bangladesh that will showcase the work of women filmmakers and play a special role in creating a platform for them."
Sadia Afrin, co-founder of Film for Us, said: "The films that will be showcased are not just works of art; they are lived experiences, reflections of societies, and bold acts of expression."
Sumaiya Bushra, president of the AUW Film Club, echoed the sentiment and said, "This festival is our collective answer to the call for more inclusive storytelling."
