The 23rd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) commenced last Saturday to showcase 220 films from 75 countries across 10 categories. This year the festival includes 44 Bangladeshi films.

Famed television star Sumaiya Shimu made her OTT debut in the final episode of “Dui Shaw”, appearing in “Beshura”. Her performance mesmerised audiences, as she blended seamlessly into the role. The talented actress made her acting debut in 1999 and went on to work on numerous television projects.

As the financial impact of the wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles County escalates, the performers' union SAG-AFTRA has committed $1 million to assist union members affected by the crisis.

The history of the Marichjhapi massacre, a dark chapter in the Sundarbans, forms the foundation of Chorki’s upcoming web-series “Feu”. Set against the backdrop of the 1979 massacre, the series explores the intersection of politics and humanity, highlighting the brutal treatment of refugees.

Directed by Fazlul Kabir Tuhin and based on a novel by Nuruddin Jahangir, this Bangladeshi film is a powerful narrative of survival, societal conflict, and individual resistance. The movie’s poster was unveiled on January 10, in the presence of lead actor Mosharraf Karim.

Here is a list of some of the films screening today

‘Makeup’ features Nipa Ahmed Realy and Ziaul Roshan in the lead roles, while veteran actor Tariq Anam Khan also delivers a compelling performance. A day after its release, Realy, who made her silver screen debut with this project shares insights in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star.

The essence of the July movement was at the heart of the 23rd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF), which officially kicked off at the National Museum's main auditorium.

“As wildfires continue to devastate parts of Los Angeles, our thoughts are with all those affected, especially families who have lost their homes or been displaced,” they wrote. They also shared that CBS, part of Paramount, is driving donations to the Red Cross, while a public service announcement will air across the network. KCAL, a local station, has already raised over £240,000 for relief. Paramount Pictures and CBS staff are also donating meals to first responders, while The Daily Show on Comedy Central is supporting the California Fire Foundation, and BET is covering the fires’ impact on Altadena’s historic Black community.

The 75th Berlin International Film Festival is set to begin in the second week of February. This year, Bangladeshi film critic Bidhan Rebeiro will serve as a jury member at the festival. He has been selected as a Fipresci jury member in the Panorama section of the festival.

The election to appoint new leadership for the Film Directors’ Association, initially scheduled for the end of last year, was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. A new date was set for January 10, but voting did not take place on the day either. As a result, the leadership selection remains pending.

In response to the chaos that unfolded in Thakurgaon, Hanif Sanket took to Facebook to share a detailed statement addressing the incident.

The festival is set to kick off with the screening of the Chinese film “Moon Man” (directed by Zhang Chiyu), a 2022 science fiction comedy that follows the story of the "last human in the universe" stranded on the moon after an asteroid wipes out life on Earth. With a worldwide gross of over $460 million, "Moon Man" is a box-office sensation, and the opening screening promises to be an exciting start to the festival.

Co-written by Nuhash Humayun and Gultekin Khan, "Besura" offers a fresh perspective on psychological horror, steering clear of conventional ghost stories. Enhanced by the haunting musical score of Abhishek Bhattacharya and Pritom Hasan, the episode stands out for its atmospheric tension and outstanding performances, making it an unforgettable finale.

Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi was one of the tens of thousands displaced from their homes by the devastating wildfires sweeping through Southern California.

“Niruddesh” premiered on January 9 at 3pm on the Gaanchill Drama & Cinema YouTube channel.

The storyline of “Makeup” is deeply intertwined with the world of cinema, he explained. “The film delves into the highs and lows of the film industry, shedding light on the lives of the people within it. It’s a story that reflects both the struggles and triumphs of those behind the glamorous world.”

Officer-in-charge of the airport's Immigration Police, Mostafa Nur-e-Bahar, confirmed that Nipun was prevented from boarding due to directives from intelligence bodies. "She left the airport of her own accord," he added. Nipun was scheduled to fly to London on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-201, which departed at 10:45 am without her.

The 23rd edition of the Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) is set to commence tomorrow, January 11. The nine-day festival will run until January 19, featuring 220 feature and short films from 75 countries across 10 categories. Among them, 44 films from Bangladesh will be showcased.

This week, devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have displaced thousands of families, consuming homes, valuable possessions and priceless mementoes. Among the losses are significant pieces of Hollywood history, as several historic residences featured in iconic films and television shows face severe damage or complete destruction. One such property is the Altadena mansion, the award-winning Max comedy series “Hacks”.