The festival received an overwhelming response, with 322 film submissions from across the country. After careful consideration by the selection committee, 89 films were chosen for screening—60 fictional shorts and 29 documentaries. These films were selected based on their artistic merit, storytelling prowess, and relevance to contemporary social issues.

Bangladeshi artist Suborna Morsheada made an impressive debut at the Révélations International Fine Craft & Creation Biennial in Paris, with support from the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation.

Researcher Anwarul Haque and singer Shabnam Mushtari have been named as this year’s recipients of the Bangla Academy’s Nazrul Award. The awardees are being recognised for their contributions to the study, performance, and promotion of the works of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

The iconic song “Dhono Dhanno Pushpo Bhora” captures the spirit and essence of the Bengali people, each line echoing their emotions and identity. Written by the eminent Dwijendralal Roy, a revered figure among the five greats of Bengali music, this masterpiece continues to resonate across generations.

Drik Gallery today wrapped up an exhibition on the emergence and evolution of child care facilities in Bangladesh through the photography of Md Rakibul Hasan. In collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), the exhibition “Keeping Childcare in Picture” intends to inform the masses and create awareness about the necessity and nature of child care facilities in our country. 

A special photographic exhibition titled "Keeping Childcare in the Picture- A Photographic Exhibition on Childcare Practices in Bangladesh", featuring the work of award-winning photographer Mohammad Rakibul Hasan, will be held at Drik Gallery in Dhaka from May 18 to 20, open daily from 4pm to 8pm.

The solo painting exhibition titled “Debris” by Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed opened its doors at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, Dhanmondi, yesterday. The event boasts almost 30 acrylic works on board paper, offering viewers a glimpse into the artist’s latest explorations.

The eternal message of Buddhist peace has blossomed in a new light at La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka. The exhibition, titled “The Awakening to Sacred Peace: The Buddha of Bengal”, showcases the wealth of ancient Bengali painting traditions through the works of prominent and emerging Bangladeshi artists. This third edition of the Buddhist-themed exhibition, organised by the Oriental Painting Study Group and Learning Design Studio, reinterprets the aesthetic sensitivity of Buddhist tradition and the spirit of Buddha in Bengal.

The Bangladesh Institute of Film and Arts (BIFA) is set to honour two of the nation’s most iconic dance figures, Shamim Ara Nipa and Shibli Mohammad, with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The event opens with a two-night run (May 16–17) of “Fire” by Avant Garde Natyadal. Written by Suman Tinku and directed by Shamsul Kabir Liton, the play explores provocative themes.

To mark her 11th death anniversary on May 5, Bengal Foundation is hosting a special tribute titled “Novera – Smritir Abhijatra” (“Novera – A Journey Through Memory”) today (May 14) at 4pm, at Level 3, Bengal Shilpalaya, Dhanmondi 27.

Renowned visual arts organisation Drik is set to unveil a special photography exhibition linked to Bandarban today, showcasing a treasure trove of rare photographs spanning over a century. Titled “With My Own Eyes, On My Own Land”, the four-day exhibition will take place at Rajar Math in Bandarban town from May 13 to 16.

Marking a decade of dedication to national cultural expression and the richness of indigenous traditions, cultural organisation Joltorongo is set to celebrate its 10-year journey with a special programme titled “Bhalo Theko Phool” at the Chhayanaut Cultural Center in Dhanmondi.

“O Death O Dance”, a solo visual art exhibition displaying artist Mobassir Alam Mazumder's compositions, is as mystical and beautiful as its name. During its inauguration on May 6 at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Art Gallery, veteran painter and Professor Emeritus Rafiqun Nabi graced the event as the chief guest. Artist and writer Professor Abul Mansur and art critic Syed Azizul Haque also attended the ceremony as speakers. Following the affectionate speeches from the guests, Prof Nabi declared the exhibition to be open for visitors.

The day opened with a seminar titled “Comprehensive Sound Analysis: Music and Consciousness”, where Assistant Professor Dr Ali F M Rezowan presented the keynote speech. Department Head Dr Jhumur Ahmed chaired the session, with Assistant Professor Md Mahmudul Hasan serving as moderator.

Curated by Mikhail Idris, the exhibition features more than a hundred artworks by 73 artists from across Bangladesh. The works, inspired by the life, philosophy, and spiritual legacy of Gautama Buddha, explore Buddhist ideals through the lens of Oriental art traditions, merging traditional techniques with contemporary expressions.

Swapnadal’s “Helen Keller” goes deeper than the familiar narrative of perseverance. It reveals the fascinating, often overlooked connection between Helen Keller and Rabindranath Tagore — exploring how the poet-philosopher’s ideas of human dignity, empathy, and universalism profoundly impacted Keller’s worldview. In doing so, the play not only celebrates Keller’s extraordinary triumphs but also spotlights the subtle ways Eastern thought influenced Western history.

As part of the festivities, the Syed Badruddin Hossain Memorial Honor will be awarded posthumously to Dr Afsar Ahmad, the late chairman of the Department of Drama and Dramatics at Jahangirnagar University, and to Mohammad Saiful Islam, an esteemed stage and lighting designer.

For Nazrul Award 2023, the honours go to: Professor Irshad Ahmed Shaheen, a distinguished researcher at the University of South Asia, recognised for his outstanding contribution to Nazrul scholarship. Alongside his academic work in English language and literature, Shaheen has spent decades deepening the understanding of Nazrul’s legacy.

The story begins on October 14, 1954, when Jibanananda Das was gravely injured in a tram accident in Kolkata. The play then journeys through the final nine days of his life, as he lay in Sambhunath Pandit Hospital, facing his dreams, visions, philosophies, and realities from the edge of life. He passed away on October 22, 1954, leaving behind a world he so intimately captured in his poetry.