Adnan Al Rajeev’s ‘Ali’ wins Special Mention at Kyiv Short Film Festival

Bangladeshi filmmaker Adnan Al Rajeev's acclaimed short film "Ali" has earned a Special Mention at the Kyiv International Short Film Festival (KISFF), adding another milestone to its global festival journey. Rajeev shared the news on social media, expressing gratitude to the festival jury for "recognising and embracing our film in this way," calling it "another win for 'Ali'."

The 15-minute film follows a teenage boy in a conservative coastal town where women are forbidden to sing. Gifted with a voice that can mimic a woman's, he secretly enters a citywide singing competition—an allegory for identity, self-expression, and the struggle to be heard in a restrictive society. "Voice as identity, visibility, and resistance" is how Rajeev has described the film's core theme.

"Ali" premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it became the first Bangladeshi production to receive a Special Jury Mention. It has since screened at major international events including the Melbourne International Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival, drawing praise for its bold storytelling and cultural resonance.