In a landmark moment for Bangladeshi cinema, director Adnan Al Rajeev and his team have secured the nation’s first-ever award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Their short film *Ali* received a Special Jury Mention — a historic win that has stirred immense pride across the country.
Sharing the news from Cannes, Rajeev posted on his social media: “This is for Bangladesh. Thank You Festival de Cannes.”
Celebrated director and Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki extended his congratulations in a Facebook post: “Congratulations Adnan Al Rajeev and team *Ali* for winning Special Jury Mention at Festival de Cannes! Very very proud of you all.”
Acclaimed actress and Rajeev’s wife, Mehazabien Chowdhury, also expressed her joy online, writing: “Bangladesh just got its first award from Cannes!!! Congrats Adnan Al Rajeev and Team *ALI*!!!!”
The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival wrapped up on Saturday night in the scenic French Riviera town, concluding 12 days of cinematic showcases, premieres, and global industry gatherings. The closing ceremony took place at the iconic Grand Théâtre Lumière within the Palais des Festivals.
Among 4,781 submissions worldwide, only 11 short films were selected for this year’s official competition. *Ali* stood out as one of the few chosen, with screenings held at both the Debussy and Bazin theatres on Friday.
Directed by Rajeev, the 15-minute short centers on a teenager from a conservative seaside town in Bangladesh, where women are barred from singing. Determined to break free, the boy secretly enters a citywide singing contest — disguising his voice to sing like a girl.
The film was showcased at Cannes in the presence of its cast, director, producers, and representatives from the Bangladeshi film community.
For filmmakers from Bangladesh, Cannes has always stood as a distant yet coveted platform — a place many have dreamed of reaching, though only a handful ever have. The path was first paved in 2002 when Tareque Masud’s *Matir Moina* made it to the Directors’ Fortnight. Nearly two decades later, in 2021, *Rehana Maryam Noor* by Abdullah Mohammad Saad became the first Bangladeshi entry in the festival’s official selection, appearing in the Un Certain Regard section.
Now, with *Ali* earning Bangladesh its first official award at Cannes, many in the country’s film community are calling it a defining breakthrough — a moment that could open new doors for future storytellers from the region.