Home
+
Published : 25 May 2025, 04:37 AM
Bangladesh has made a historic debut at the Cannes Film Festival, with its short film “Ali” earning a Special Mention in the official competition section.
This is the first time a Bangladeshi movie has received recognition in one of the festival's main competitive categories.
Directed by Adnan Al Rajeev and written by Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Romero, Ali was honoured by the jury of the 78th Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Competition.
The award was announced during the festival’s closing ceremony on Saturday at the iconic Grand Théâtre Lumière in the Palais des Festivals.
The Special Mention was presented by German filmmaker Maren Ade, head of the short film jury.
As she named Ali among the honourees, Rajeev, seated among the guests, stood to a round of applause from the audience.
Later, in a heartfelt Facebook post, the director wrote simply: “This is for Bangladesh”.
This landmark recognition has sparked celebration across the Bangladeshi entertainment industry, with actors, filmmakers, and fans flooding social media to congratulate Rajeev and his team.
Actress and Rajeev’s wife, Mehazabien Chowdhury, wrote: "For the first time ever, Bangladesh has won an award at Cannes! Congratulations to Adnan Al Rajeev and Team Ali!"
Filmmaker Chayanika Chowdhury called it a “historic moment” for Bangladeshi cinema.
"Team Ali has set a new record for Bangladesh by winning a Special Mention at Cannes. Congratulations to everyone involved,” she wrote.
Director Redoan Rony added: "You’ve made history, taken our dreams to the global stage, and filled our hearts with pride. May Bangladesh keep moving forward."
The top honour in the short film category, the prestigious Short Film Palme d’Or, was awarded to I Am Glad You Are Dead Now, directed by Israel’s Tawfeek Barhom.
Ali, the first Bangladeshi film to ever screen in a competitive section at Cannes, premiered at the festival last Friday.
The 15-minute film follows the story of a teenage boy named Ali, who lives in a conservative coastal community where women are forbidden from singing.
Young actor Al Amin plays the lead role. The film was shot in Sylhet in November last year.
Speaking about the film, director Rajeev, who has spent nearly two decades working in television and advertising, said: "Through the lens of personal experience, we tried to uncover an inevitable truth. Our aim was to tell this story in a simple, sincere, and beautiful way."
Ali was co-produced by Bangladesh’s Tanveer Hossain and the Philippines' Kristine De Leon, with line production handled by Runout Films.
