'Ali' receives special mention at Cannes Film Festival
In a historic moment for Bangladeshi cinema, Adnan Al Rajeev's short film "Ali" has received a Special Mention at the highly esteemed 78th Cannes Film Festival. The film, which was the first Bangladeshi entry to be officially selected for the Short Film competition, has now garnered further international recognition, marking a significant milestone for the nation's burgeoning film industry.
"Ali," directed by Adnan Al Rajeev and produced by Bangladesh's Tanveer Hossain and the Philippines' Kristine De Leon, competed for the prestigious Palme d'Or in the short film category alongside entries from around the globe. Its Special Mention underscores the film's artistic merit and compelling storytelling, bringing immense pride to Bangladesh.
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Filmed in Sylhet in November 2024, "Ali" delves into a personal journey, exploring an "unavoidable truth" presented in a simple, beautiful, and sincere manner, according to director Adnan Al Rajeev. The executive producer, Habibur Rahman Tarek, had expressed confidence from the outset that the film's narrative would resonate with international audiences.
The film was produced under the banner of Catalogue, a production company co-founded by Adnan Al Rajeev, Tanveer Hossain, Kristine De Leon, and Arvin Belarmino. Catalogue's mission is to foster filmmaking connections across South and Southeast Asia. Notably, another film from the same production house, "Agapito" from the Philippines, also secured a spot in Cannes' main short film competition, further solidifying Catalogue's international presence.
This Special Mention for "Ali" at one of the world's most prestigious film festivals is expected to inspire a new generation of Bangladeshi filmmakers and elevate the country's profile on the global cinematic stage. It reinforces the growing capacity of Bangladeshi artists to produce work of international standards.
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