DUFS to hold int’l short film fest, invites filmmakers to participate

Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) in association with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is all set to host the 13th edition of the International Inter University Short Film Festival (IIUSFF).

The festival aspires to promote and inspire the work of young university going filmmakers with the slogan ‘Take Your Camera, Frame Your Dream’.

After 12 successful editions of IIUSFF, Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) intends to take it to a new height with the 13th edition of IISUFF.

The Call for Entry of this edition started from May 10, 2021. The deadline for submission of the films is the June 10, 2021.

Any undergraduate or postgraduate student currently enrolled in a university (those who have completed their undergraduate studies within the previous two years, which means by 10th June, 2019, are also eligible), can submit a maximum of two films in this festival.

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The festival is divided in three segments:  Competition (maximum duration -15 minutes), Panorama (maximum duration -20 minutes), One-minute short. In these segments, films will be accepted in two categories- Fiction and Non-Fiction

DUFS International Affairs Secretary Nahid Bhuiyan said, "Our goal is to steer our films towards a better direction. This festival serves as a prime example of our goal. We have aspired to provide an ideal platform for the upcoming film-makers of Bangladesh and overseas to showcase their skills.

"Every year, we have had participants from different corners of the world, which speaks of the steady and tremendous success of IIUSFF.  Over the course of 12 successful editions, it has become the biggest platform for young film-makers in Bangladesh," he added.

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In 2007, International Inter-University Short Film Festival started its journey with the goal to provide a platform for the young and talented student filmmakers in Bangladesh and overseas to showcase their craft.

Being an international platform, the International Inter-University Short Film Festival aims to feature a native art form of Bangladesh in order to introduce the world with the country’s incredibly rich culture and history. In this edition, the 13th IIUSFF is showcasing the ‘Nakshi Kantha’ or embroidered quilt.

In this edition, the 13th IIUSFF is showcasing the ‘Nakshi Kantha’ or embroidered quilt as a native art form| Collected

The quilts provide a canvas to these artisans to weave their thoughts, aspirations and stories into each colourful design and find a home for their creative expressions. Every Kantha gracefully embodies the rural women’s sense of agency and incorruptible artistic vision.

As a filmmaker designs his story, starting from scratch, to be ultimately transformed into a coherent form on the big screen, the same dogged pursuit is found in the little circles of rural women who huddle together and needle away for weeks or even months, for the sake of their art.

In light of our age-old craft tradition and the historical significance of embroidered quilts, the 13th IIUSFF's main theme has been set to be Nakshi Kantha - a relic of our glorious past and a promise of better days on our horizon.