The Bangladeshi film industry transformed significantly in 2026, with significant critical accolades received from many major festival panorama sections showcasing artistic, socially relevant, and nationally significant films. Film festivals showcase the growth of Bangladeshi filmmakers who create complex stories in theatres as opposed to just on a commercial scale.
By using a critical lens to curate panorama sections, the creative scope of a country’s film industry can be seen through its creations, and the films presented by the Bangladesh film industry in these festivals in 2026 reflect greater confidence and interest in the national industry by the global film community.
Highlights of 2026 Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF)
The 24th DIFF showcased the wide range of voices and themes represented in films included in the Bangladesh Panorama-Full Length Feature section. A few examples of outstanding films are:
Noya Manush, which was directed by Sohel Rana Boyati, was praised for being grounded in narrative and having depth of social subject matter.
Uraal (The Flying Souls) by Jobaidur Rahman was a powerful film that examined the human condition in regard to aspiring and being removed from one’s emotions; it was praised for the unique way it represented the human condition visually on screen.
Dhamer Gaan also exemplified a collaborative and experimental spirit among filmmakers working today.
In summary, each of these films was a true representation of a new era in the Bangladesh film industry: a documentary-style film that celebrated cultural heritage/history, was rooted in reality, and was introspective. These films were well-received and have generated significant international interest.
Kolkata International Film Festival Recognition
The 31st Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) saw Bangladeshi cinema score well with the film Porshi taking the Best Feature Film award from 18 entries under the Bengali Panorama category, which is a big achievement given how competitive this category can be. This win has further endorsed Bangladesh’s place as a growing player in the larger, shared Bengali cultural space. Many critics have praised Porshi for its intense storytelling and emotional credibility.
While panorama selections are based on artistic merit, multiple commercially successful films, such as Borbaad (the highest-grossing Bangladeshi film at approximately ৳75 crore) and Utshob (approximately US$188,600 internationally), will also provide an important foundation for filmmakers to continue to create more ambitious, festival-oriented films. However, festival inclusion is not based on box-office success; but successful box-office performances can enhance filmmakers’ confidence and inspire them to create larger, more ambitious, and more festival-focused projects.
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