1st Cox’s Bazar Film Festival: A New Chapter for Beachside Cinema

Traditionally a destination for its rolling waves, Cox’s Bazar is now carving out a niche for storytelling. The inaugural Cox’s Bazar Film Festival has transformed Laboni Beach into an open-air cinema, signaling a new cultural era for Bangladesh’s premier tourist hub.

The two-day event, which began Friday (March 27) at Laboni Point, also marked the official launch of the Cox’s Bazar Film Club, the district’s first film society registered under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The festival was inaugurated by Chief Guest Alhaj Shahjahan Chowdhury, MP and District BNP President, alongside Special Guest Imran Hossain, Municipal Administrator. Chaired by Film Club President Mohammad Selim, the ceremony drew a diverse crowd of filmmakers, actors, and tourists, turning the shoreline into a vibrant cultural hub.

Notable speakers included Advocate Abu Haider Osmani, Bar Association President Advocate Abdul Mannan, and film directors Tanbir Hasan and Bandhan Biswas. Actresses Elina Shammi and actor Omar Malik also graced the occasion.

In his keynote address, Mohammad Selim emphasized the festival's mission: "In an era of small screens, we want to bring the community back to the cinematic experience under the open sky. Our goal is to eventually elevate this into an international film festival."

The opening day featured a documentary produced by the Cox’s Bazar Film Club, followed by three major screenings.

Shadow Tree (Chaya Brikkho) Directed by Bandhan Biswas, exploring the struggles of tea garden workers.

Jol Rong An Impress Telefilm production directed by Apurba Rana, focusing on the harsh realities of human trafficking.

Dot Directed by Barua Sunanda Kakon, notable as Bangladesh’s first full-length English feature film addressing social justice and women's rights.

The festival concludes Saturday (March 28) with public screenings of Behula Dardi (dir. Sabuj Khan), Moynar Char (dir. Mostafizur Rahman Babu), and Madhyabitta (dir. Tanbir Hasan).

The event is organized by the Cox’s Bazar Film Club with support from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Department of Mass Communication, the District Administration, and the Dhaka Film Club.