Dhaka University Film Society: A hub for young cine-enthusiasts

Despite being a campus-based organisation, Dhaka University Film Society's (DUFS) activities have crossed boundaries. DUFS has been working regularly with other noteworthy cultural organisations including Alamgir Kabir Chalachhitra Kendra, the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh and the Russian Centre for Science and Culture.
DUFS started its journey with the slogan “Better films, better viewers” in 1962. But it took four attempts to make this student organisation a fully functional one. Though the first three attempts were short lived, each played an important part in taking the organisation to its current position.
During the late '70s, students of Dhaka University formed another film society, named 'Science Cine Club'. In December 1981, this club arranged a workshop on films. Instructors at the workshop included Professor Satish Bahadur and Professor Surendra Chowdhury of Pune Film Institute.
In 1991 DUFS brought some changes in its outlook. Since then their main goal has been 'to create a well-aware movie audience'.
As part of its mission, DUFS organises various film-oriented programmes like film appreciation courses, seminars, rallies, retrospectives and film screenings throughout the year.
Every month DUFS organises a two or three daylong film session in collaboration with reputable organisations, which they call 'World Film Manifestation Programme' (WFMP). At the programme DUFS screens films on diverse issues. Imran Ferdous, the current president of DUFS and a 3rd year student of Linguistics, says, “At WFMP we screen films from Fellini to Ritwik.”
Apart from WFMP, DUFS regularly arranges several film festivals throughout the year. Their notable arrangements include a film screening session to greet the freshers on campus, film festival on Mother Language Day, festival celebrating 50 years of Bangladeshi cinema and a special screening of films by Satyajit Ray titled “Satyajiter Chalachchitra” in 2003.
This year in June, DUFS arranged the first short film festival for university students titled “International Short Film Festival”.
The organisation arranges study circle every Thursday at its office at TSC. At these study circles, members of the organisation discuss contemporary issues related to films. According to Imran, “At study circles, we always try to introduce technical aspects of films. Any film enthusiast can take part in the study circle, as it is open to all.”
Their publication Flashback turned ten this year. However, Imran says that due to financial constraints the organisation cannot manage to publish more issues every year.
DUFS can take pride in some of its achievements. In 2005, Amader Chhelebela -- a short film by Rashedul Hafiz Russell, a former president of DUFS -- was screened at the Berlin Film Festival.
DUFS registered at the Bangladesh Film Censor Board in 1993. The organisation has been working actively as a member of Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies since its beginning.