Staff Correspondent

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Nahid Islam today called for strengthening cultural movement to motivate people against fascism.

"Though one particular political fascist-force has been eliminated through July-August mass uprising, but still there are many fascist tendencies and ruling structure based on fascism in the society. To get rid of this situation, we need to strengthen cultural movement in the country," he said.

The adviser made the call while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the 17th Bangladesh International Short and Independent Film Festival-2024 at the main auditorium of the National Museum at Shahbagh in the capital.

Bangladesh Short Film Forum is organizing the festival this year, featuring 276 films from over 100 countries. Staring from today, the event will continue till December 27.

Bangladesh International Short and Independent Film Festival has been dedicated to the martyrs of the July-August movement and artiste S M Sultan marking his birth centenary.

Noted Photographer Nasir Ali Mamun, City Bank Country Business Manager Ashanur Rahman, Bangladesh Short Film Forum President Dr Zahirul Islam and Director of festival's committee Syed Imran Hossain Kirmani spoke on the occasion as the special guests.

Nahid Islam, also the posts, telecommunications, and information technology adviser, said that the practice of culture can change the people's mindset positively and that is why the government through its ministries concerned wants to patronize all cultural institutions.

He underscored the need for building a firm mindset of all concerned including the government in developing the film industry of the country.

The interim government took the responsibility of the country through a mass uprising and sacrifices of the many student-people, he said, adding that it (the government) will build a new Bangladesh considering people's dreams and aspirations.

The government will try its level best to materialize the possibility of building new Bangladesh through reforms and development of all sectors including film industry, he added.

Noting that Bangladesh was built in 1971 through the Liberation War with many new dreams but those dreams remained unfulfilled in the last 53 years, he said, adding that from this regret, a mass uprising has been emerged in the country in 2024.

He hoped that the spirit and aspiration of the July mass uprising will remain intact in the days to come to fulfill people's new dreams.

The history of 1971 was distorted through politicization, he said, adding that the history of 2024' mass uprising and participation of student-people in the mass uprising should be highlighted properly among the people at home and abroad.

He hoped that all those involved in various cultural institutions will play responsible roles in highlighting the authentic information of the July mass uprising and the current situation of Bangladesh as many people are spreading propaganda against Bangladesh on some issues.

He said festivals like Bangladesh International Short and Independent Film Festival are important in the country as proper history and narrative can be highlighted through films including short films.

He expressed the hope that Bangladesh will become the center of literature and culture in South Asia with the development of relevant institutions.