This year about 111 films from 60 countries will be screened. Over 50 filmmakers, activists and other dignitaries are participating in the festival organised by Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies this year.

Besides screening films in different categories such as 'International Contest', 'International Showcase', 'Focus of the Festival', 'Retrospective', 'Celebrating 50 Years of Bangladeshi Cinema', 'Tribute', 'Bangla Showcase' and others seminars on different aspects of cinema will be held during the festival.

On March 6, a seminar titled "Bangladeshi Films: Aesthetic Achievements in 50 Years" will be held at the Sufia Kamal Auditorium, National Museum. Noted film exponent Anupam Hayat will read the keynote paper at the seminar. On March 8 and 9, two seminars titled "Reviewing Films from the Perspective of globalisation" and "International Market of Asian Films" respectively will be held at the same venue.

Films that have generated interest among movie enthusiasts worldwide for a number of reasons -- becoming cash cows, igniting political debate or featuring controversial issues, zooming in on major global events, showcasing superior aesthetic skills and more -- are the attractions at the festival.

'Celebrating 50 Years of Bangladeshi Cinema' will begin with a screening of Shutorang by Subhash Dutta. The film launched Kabori as a film actress in 1964. Other films to be screened in the section are Titash Ekti Nodir Naam, Jibon Thekey Neowa, Shurjodighal Bari, Dhirey Bohey Meghna and others. Hotel Rwanda, a riveting film based on a true story, taking place during the Rwandan genocide in 1994 will be screened in the 'International Showcase' category.

The movie that won the most number of Filmfare Awards this year, Black, will be screened in the 'Bollywood Meets Dhallywood' section. Bangladeshi films Bideshini, Hajaar Bochhor Dhorey, Matritwa, Nandito Norok-e and movies from West Bengal Amu, Faltu, Kantataar and Tok Jhaal Mishti will be screened in the 'Bangla Showcase' section.

The Films will be screened at venues in Dhaka, Savar and Narayanganj including Central Public Library Auditorium, National Museum Auditorium, Shishu Academy Auditorium, Star Cineplex, Balaka, Madhumita, Rajmoni and other movie theatres. The festival will be inaugurated at Chittagong on March 10.

The festival is being jointly organised by Bangladesh Motion Picture Exhibitors Association, Bangladesh Film Producers Distributors Association, Bangladesh Film Directors Association, Bangladesh Cinematographers Society and Bangladesh Film Artistes Association. International Federation of Film Societies is also an associate organiser.