Saif Sarwar’s film earns IMFA nomination alongside Hollywood productions

Bangladeshi automotive filmmaker Saif Sarwar has secured his second consecutive nomination at the International Motor Film Awards (IMFA), with his film “Beyond The Machine”. The film is appearing in a 2026 field that includes productions featuring Hollywood stars such as Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo.

Featuring the Porsche 718 Boxster, “Beyond The Machine” explores the creative process behind automotive filmmaking and how a filmmaker’s vision shapes the presentation of a vehicle.

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Sarwar first made history in 2025 when “Go Beyond” became the first film by a Bangladeshi filmmaker to receive an IMFA nomination. His latest recognition makes him a two-time consecutive nominee at the international automotive film awards.

The 2026 nomination field includes “Crime 101”, directed by Bart Layton and starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and Halle Berry; “The Running Man”, directed by Edgar Wright; “TRON: Ares”, directed by Joachim Rønning; and “The Rip”, written and directed by Joe Carnahan and starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

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Other nominated productions are associated with names including Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Glenn Close and Matthew McConaughey, placing Sarwar’s work alongside major international film and entertainment productions.

For Sarwar, the recognition is significant not only as a personal achievement but also as an opportunity to represent Bangladesh in an international filmmaking arena.

“Being nominated at IMFA for the second time makes me feel more afraid than happy,” Sarwar said. “I know how difficult it is to reach this stage, but for an automotive filmmaker from Bangladesh, turning that dream into reality is even harder.”

He said automotive filmmaking remains under-recognised in Bangladesh despite his continued commitment to the medium.

“I make automotive films simply because I love doing it. But in Bangladesh, automotive filmmaking still does not receive the recognition or value it deserves,” he said.

Sarwar was unable to attend the 2025 IMFA ceremony in London after failing to secure the financial support needed to travel. He has received an invitation to this year’s ceremony, which is scheduled for November 14 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

“As a Bangladeshi creator, perhaps my biggest challenge is not getting nominated, it is actually getting there,” Sarwar said. “I want to see with my own eyes the dream I started with my country’s name attached to it finally reach its destination.”

The latest nomination follows another international recognition for Sarwar in 2025, when he became the first Bangladeshi creator to receive a Judges' Honorable Mention at the Grand Motoring Film Festival in the United States.