British Council launches policy review on Bangladesh’s film industry

The British Council has launched a policy review on Bangladesh's film industry as part of a wider national study on the sector.

The publication was unveiled at an event at the British Council's Fuller Road premises in Dhaka. Stakeholders from government, policy, finance, the creative economy and the film sector attended the discussion on the future of the industry.

The policy review is part of the research study titled Cinema as a Creative Industry: Mapping Bangladesh's Film Ecosystem and Inclusive Growth Potential. The study is led by Imran Firdaus as lead researcher. It is commissioned by the British Council and implemented by Dhaka DocLab.

The research examines the current landscape of Bangladesh's film industry, reviews existing policies and develops recommendations to support sustainable and inclusive growth.

The British Council also announced that a national mapping report from the study will be released in January 2026. The report will include recommendations gathered through consultations with film industry stakeholders.

The research began in February 2025 through an open call. It includes nationwide surveys and consultations with producers, independent filmmakers, cinema hall owners and students.

Maarya Rehman, Deputy Director of the British Council in Bangladesh, said, "We are proud to support this landmark study, which aims to ensure that diverse voices across the film sector—from producers to students—are represented in shaping the industry's vibrant future. This effort reflects the British Council's broader commitment to supporting the creative economy in Bangladesh by fostering dialogue, building capacity, and ensuring that the film industry continues to thrive as a driver of cultural and economic development."

Imran Firdaus presented the research findings at the event. A question-and-answer session followed, where participants discussed challenges, opportunities and the need for coordinated policy support.

Adar Rahman, Lead, Innovation and Implementation at Chorki, said, "It's promising that such an initiative is being taken. As a platform, when we engage in market research, some level of bias inevitably comes into play. If more initiatives like this are taken and more in-depth work is done, we may be able to understand the true reality of the market. At the same time, those who work with us may feel that there is a lack of creative freedom, while others might believe there is an investment crisis. Through this kind of research, the true reality will become clear to everyone. For these reasons, I really appreciate this initiative. I am now looking forward to the report that will come in January 2026. I hope the report reaches a broader audience."

British Council representatives said the initiative reflects continued support for Bangladesh's creative industries through dialogue and engagement with policymakers, filmmakers and investors.