Six Bangladeshi films to feature at Rainbow Int'l Film Festival

The 27th Rainbow International Film Festival is set to begin in London on May 17, bringing a week-long celebration of global cinema to the city. The festival will run until May 23 at the historic Genesis Cinema in East London.

Organised by the Rainbow Film Society, this year’s edition will showcase more than 40 films from 10 countries, including Bangladesh, India, South Korea, Russia, Iran, China, Philippines, and Tajikistan.

Bangladeshi film “Agontuk” has been selected as the opening film and will be screened at 12 pm on May 17. The festival will conclude on May 23 with a screening of India’s “Swarthopor" at 6:00pm.

A total of six Bangladeshi films have been selected for this year’s festival. “Agontuk”, “Noya Manush”, and "Uraal” will be screened at the cinema, with “Noya Manush” scheduled for the second day and “Uraal” for the fourth. Additionally, three Bangladeshi titles — “Noya Note”, “The University of Chankharpul”, and “Pathor Howar Golpo”— will be available on the festival’s online platform.

Speaking about the event, Rainbow Film Society president Ahmed Muztaba Zamal said the festival has been held for many years and expressed optimism about this year’s edition. He added that active participation from the local Bangladeshi community would make the festival even more vibrant.

Director Sohel Rana Boyati, whose film “Noya Manush” is part of the line-up, said it is a matter of pride for Bangladeshi cinema to be represented at international festivals. He noted that the film carries a message of communal harmony, which is particularly relevant in the current context.

Other international entries include Iran’s “They Loved Me”, Russia’s “The Mystery of the Black Hand”, India’s “Joto Kando Kolkatatei” (starring Bangladeshi actress Quazi Nawshaba and Indian actor Abir Chatterjee) and “Griho Probesh”, China’s “The Shore of Life”, and South Korea’s “Drained by Dream”. The line-up also features “Republika ng Pipolipinas” from the Philippines and “Mohi Dar” from Tajikistan, among others.

All screenings at Genesis Cinema, except for the closing ceremony, will be open to the public.