Nuhash Humayun selected for The Asian Film Academy 2019 fellowship

Bangladeshi film-maker Nuhash Humayun has been selected for The Asian Film Academy 2019 fellowship program. The program is part of the Busan International Film Festival, considered an important festival in Asia. 

The Asian Film Academy (AFA) is an educational program for nurturing talented young Asian   film-makers and creates a platform for building a professional network throughout Asia. 

Talking about the fellowship program, Nuhash told the Dhaka Tribune’s Showtime: “So, this is basically a fellowship for film-makers from around the world.  The application process is lengthy and has several layers, including a Skype interview. 

Nuhash applied for the fellowship in the beginning of the year.“This year there was a record number of applicants and I was the only person from Bangladesh this year. 

“I am really excited about this because I will get to work with film-makers from around the world, added an excited Nuhash. 

Nuhash also told us that towards the end of the program, the fellows will have to make a short film which will premiere at the 24^th Busan International Film Festival. 

“I love collaborating and working with other people, so it would be great to do that on an international platform and I am also excited about the fact that the film will be shown at the Busan Film Festival.

This year the academy selected 24 fellows, out of 392 applicants from 33 countries. On their website, the Busan International Film Festival authorities wrote: “The 24 fellows who weathered  the tough competition, include Nuhash Humayun, co-director of the 23rd Busan International Film Festival’s official selection, Sincerely Yours, Dhaka, and Aizhana Kassymbek, director of Air.”

When he was asked what his suggestions would be for film-makers interested in the program, he replied: “I would say, for the application you will have to submit the right kind of portfolios that represent you as a film-maker. For the portfolio, the academy prefers fiction or short films over commercials or music videos. 

“The written part of the application is also very important. You will have to write honestly about your strengths and weaknesses and what your future goals are, he added. 

“I would like to see more Bangladeshis apply to programs like these,” Nuhash said. 

The 18-days fellowship program will be on from September 26 to October 13. The 24th Busan International Film Festival will be held from October 3 to October 12.

This is not Nuhash's first Busan tour. Initially, he first went to the Busan Film Festival with the film, Sincerely Yours, Dhaka, which he co-directed.  

Nuhash’s credits include: Paper Frog, Hotel Albatross, Eti, Tomari Dhaka, 700 taka and Pizza Bhai.