Dhaka, 8 February 2025 – The Dhaka DocImpact Lab pitching event, organized by Dhaka DocLab with support from the Perspective Fund, successfully concluded at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The program was presided over by Luva Nahid Choudhury, Trustee of Dhaka DocLab. Special guests included Stephen Forbes, Country Director of British Council Bangladesh; Mustofa Zaman, Director of the Fine Arts Department at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy; and Tareq Ahmed, Director of Dhaka DocLab, who were present to lend their support and insights to the event.
Five project participants successfully pitched their impact stories, showcasing the power of documentary filmmaking! The projects presented at the Dhaka DocImpact Lab pitching event included Aanda Story, directed by Shakawat Hossen; Embracing Fatherhood, directed by Partha Sen Gupta; Pankauri, directed by Jafar Muhammad; Song of Sunflower, directed by Abid Sarker Shohag; and Doprujhiri, directed by Asma Beethe.
The goal of the pitching session was to foster potential collaborations and drive social change through impactful documentary storytelling. Filmmakers presented their projects to an audience of invited guests, including representatives from government and non-government organizations, NGOs, and film industry professionals. Representatives from prominent NGOs and international organizations such as BRAC, the International Labour Organization (ILO), Friendship, Democracy International, and the World Bank demonstrated broad interest in using documentary filmmaking for social Change.
Each presentation was followed by an engaging Q&A session, where attendees provided feedback, asked questions, and explored opportunities for collaboration.
A special highlight of the evening was a soulful performance by Provat Sorkar, a blind Baul artist and the main protagonist of the project Song of Sunflower. His heartfelt singing captivated the audience, adding a deeply emotional and cultural touch to the event.
At the closing of the event, Rahi Hasan, Director of Dhaka DocImpact Lab, shared thoughts on the future plans for the lab. She emphasized the importance of continuing to support filmmakers in their mission to create impactful documentaries, expanding collaboration opportunities, and strengthening the lab’s role in fostering social change through storytelling.
The Dhaka DocImpact Lab pitching event not only provided a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work but also reinforced the role of documentaries as a powerful medium for social change.