A father is not merely a six-letter word; he represents a lifelong journey of love, memories and emotions. Capturing that profound bond, filmmaker Shawana has brought her personal story to the screen through her short film The Road to My Father, which was released on Father’s Day and has already earned acclaim at several international film festivals.
Released on the Humbleverse YouTube channel, the film follows Shawana’s emotional journey to reconnect with the memories of her late father, whom she lost nearly two decades ago. Returning to the places where he spent much of his life, she revisits old memories and reflects on themes of identity, belonging and family roots.
Born and raised in Sweden with roots in Bangladesh, Shawana has built a reputation for telling deeply personal stories. In The Road to My Father, she explores the timeless bond between a father and daughter, conveying the message that “your roots are your identity” and that, sooner or later, everyone feels the pull of where they come from.
The film was shot across Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram and along coastal roads and beaches, including the house where Shawana’s father once lived with his family and neighbours. Shawana herself directed, edited and played the lead role in the film.
Reflecting on the project, Shawana said: “The Road to My Father is a journey that began long before the camera started rolling. Through this film, I wanted to revisit memories and ask questions I had carried for years. Releasing the film on Father’s Day makes the moment even more meaningful.”
The short film has enjoyed a successful festival run, becoming a finalist at the Sweden Film Awards 2026 and receiving an Honourable Mention at the Stockholm City Film Festival 2026. It was also officially selected for festivals in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Italy, India and Bangladesh, including the Dhaka International Film Festival.
The film’s cinematography was handled by Tariqul Shuvo, with sound by Rajesh Saha, music by Avishek Bhattacharjee and colour grading by Snigdho Shariar. Asibur Rahman Moon served as line producer, while Nahid Hasan, Partho Paulinews and Folia worked as associate producers. Shawana also served as executive producer and producer.
Earlier this year, Shawana’s web film Mystery in Bloom was released on streaming platform Bongo during the Valentine’s season. Through both fiction and personal storytelling, the filmmaker continues to explore intimate human experiences that resonate across cultures and generations.
The Road to My Father is now available on Shawana’s independent production house, Humbleverse YouTube channel.
