14 Sep IEFTA’s €2000 Prize Awarded to Bangladeshi Filmmaker at 2023 Dhaka DocLab online
Dhaka DocLab online wrapped up last week, at which, after two days of pitching for the Project-in-Development category, the IEFTA Prize of €2000 was awarded to Bangladeshi filmmaker, Kazi Arefin Ahmed and his beautiful project called Opekkha which means “Waiting”.
Kazi Arefin Ahmed also won the DocEdge Kolata Award for the same title and the full awards list available here.
OPEKKHA (“Waiting”)
BANGLADESH
Directed by Kazi Arefin Ahmed
Opekkha is a personal documentary that delves into the lives of a family separated by thousands of miles, struggling to bridge the gap created by immigration. The film begins with the filmmaker’s grandmother, a lonely figure in Bangladesh, whose heart is filled with memories of a time when the family was together. Devastatingly, her visa application to visit her grandchildren in Norway was rejected, leaving her yearning to see them after over two decades apart. Will she ever be able to reconnect with her beloved grandchildren and their new families?
The film captures the emotional journey of the family, bridging the gap between Bangladesh and Norway. As they await a miracle, the documentary explores the universal turbulence of migration and the enduring power of family bonds.
Kazi Arefin Ahmed (Bangladesh)
DIRECTOR
Kazi Arefin Ahmed, a documentary filmmaker from Dhaka, Bangladesh, draws from a diverse storytelling background encompassing theatre, television, video games, and film production. His passion lies in crafting narratives that distil universal issues through personal stories, fostering empathy, dialogue, and a deeper understanding of the human experience. Serving as a commissioned documentary filmmaker for organizations like AFP Media Services, the United Nations, and the European Union, allows him to delve into complex global matters through the power of storytelling. Kazi’s recent independent short nonfiction, ‘Could You Be Free Yet Locked In?’, clinched multiple international accolades, including the prestigious FIPRESCI Award.