The Sergei Bondarchuk Film Club, one of Bangladesh’s pioneering platforms for film enthusiasts and culture lovers, celebrated its 30th founding anniversary on Saturday at the Russian House in Dhanmondi. The two-day festival, themed Celebrating Cinema, was inaugurated with a formal ceremony in the morning, followed by the screening of From Surma (2024), a Bangladeshi short directed by Manoj Pramanik and Subrata Sarker.
The inauguration was graced by His Excellency Mr. Alexander Grigoryevich Khozin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Bangladesh, as Chief Guest. Among the distinguished special guests were SM Abdur Rahman, Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Film Certification Board; Kader Gani Chowdhury, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists; Georgiy Latsuzbaya, Acting Director of the Russian House, Dhaka; Nurul Azam, General Manager of Bangladesh Television; noted cine journalist Chinmoy Mutsuddi; and Mohammad Zahirul Islam (Kochi), President of the Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies.
The welcome speech was delivered by Ahmed Tepantor, Member Secretary of the Sergei Bondarchuk Film Club, while the ceremony was presided over by Convener Bibesh Roy.
Following the opening, audiences enjoyed From Surma, a 12-minute Bangladeshi short. Over the course of two days, the festival will screen a total of seven international and local films, including Peyarar Subash (Bangladesh), Aam Kathaler Chhuti (Bangladesh), Yuan Shang (China), Vergüenza (Mexico-Qatar), and A Siege Diary (Russia).
Alongside screenings, three masterclasses will be held to engage students, researchers, and aspiring filmmakers. The event is supported by Enigma Multimedia Ltd.
Founded on September 20, 1995, by filmmaker and teacher M. A. Samad, the Sergei Bondarchuk Film Club has grown into a vital space for film appreciation and cultural dialogue. The 30th anniversary marks both a celebration of its rich legacy and a commitment to fostering new generations of cinema lovers in Bangladesh.
