Controversial film ‘censor’ board transformed into ‘certification’ board

The changes follow criticism over the reconstitution of the censor board

The Bangladesh Film Censor Board has been dissolved and replaced by a newly launched film ‘certification’ board.

The changes came in the face of criticism a week after the formation of a new ‘censor’ board by dissolving the previous one under the controversial Censorship of Films Act, 1963 authorised during the ousted Awami League government.

The new board was reconstructed in accordance with Section 3 of the Bangladesh Film Certification Bill, 2023, according to a notice issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Sunday.

The 15-strong film certification board will be headed by the secretary of the ministry. The current Bangladesh Film Censor Board vice chairman has been made member secretary of the new board, the notice read.

Notable members of the board are: secretary of the Law and Justice Division; press secretary to the chief advisor; additional secretary (Film) of the information and broadcasting ministry; Public Security Division joint secretary or representative of the rank or above; managing director of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation; and president of Bangladesh Film Directors Association.

The other members are filmmaker and researcher Zakir Hossain Raju, also a professor at Independent University; film producer and director Rafiqul Anwar Rasel; producer, director, distributor, writer and organiser Zahid Hossain; film editor Iqbal Ehsanul Kabir; film director Khizir Hayat Khan; actress Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed and director Tasmiah Afrin Mou.

The interim government reformed the censor board earlier on Sept 15.