TL;DR:
- The Information and Communication Technology Ministry has cancelled its 50 lakh taka grant for Nuhash Humayun’s film “Moving Bangladesh,” which was initially approved in 2022.
- Despite the cancellation, the film has secured significant international funding, including 89,800 dollars from Taipei Film Commission and 25 lakh taka from Sinecraft Film Fund.
- The project has gained support from major film markets including Tokyo Grant Financing Market, Cannes Film Festival, Locarno Film Festival, and Indian Film Market.
- Producer Arifur Rahman confirms the withdrawal won’t affect production as they have substantial alternative funding, with filming expected to begin next year.
The Information and Communication Technology Ministry has withdrawn its previously allocated 5 million taka grant for filmmaker Nuhash Humayun’s upcoming project “Moving Bangladesh”. The decision marks a significant shift in the ministry’s initial enthusiasm for the film project.
The grant, which was approved in 2022 during the Awami League government’s tenure after reviewing the screenplay, has now been rescinded. Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Project Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Academy under the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), stated that “the project no longer intends to produce this film, and film production is not within the ministry’s scope of work.”
Despite this setback, the film has secured substantial international funding. Moving Bangladesh has already received 89,800 dollars from the Taipei Film Commission, equivalent to over 10.7 million taka, and 2.5 million taka from the Sinecraft Film Fund. The project has also garnered support from prestigious film markets including the Tokyo Grant Financing Market, Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film, Locarno Film Festival, and the Indian Film Market.
Producer Arifur Rahman remains optimistic about the project’s future, stating that “Moving Bangladesh is the kind of film that will brand our country.” He emphasized that the withdrawn government grant, being a relatively small amount compared to the film’s total budget, would not impede its production.
The film continues to attract both local and international investors. Humayun, who gained recognition for his award-winning short film “Moshari”, is taking his time perfecting the screenplay before beginning production. “I want to be completely satisfied with the screenplay before starting any work. My producers have given me that freedom,” the director explained.
Production is expected to commence next year, with the story focusing on Bangladesh’s youth rather than political themes. The film represents Humayun’s first feature-length project, following his successful ventures in short films and web series.
Source: Prothomalo
