Arif represents Bangladesh at Doc Producing South, Kiran Rao keen on Bangladeshi cinema

The five-day programme Doc Producing South was held in New Delhi, India, from September 1 to 5, bringing together independent filmmakers for discussions on documentary budgets, distribution strategies, and script development.

Participants included filmmakers and producers from India, Nepal, Bhutan, France, the United States, and several European countries. Bangladesh was represented by Goopy Bagha Productions' filmmaker-producer Arifur Rahman Arif.

According to Arifur Rahman, the lab is designed to support South Asian independent filmmakers by providing training and workshops on project proposals, budgeting, and distribution strategies for documentary films.

"This is a South Asian producing lab project, where filmmakers and producers from different countries have joined," Arif explained. "I was invited from Bangladesh, and this gave me the opportunity to exchange ideas with other South Asian filmmakers. I believe this initiative will open new pathways for independent filmmakers in the region."

The event also featured Bollywood filmmaker and producer Kiran Rao, known for "Dhobi Ghat" and "Laapataa Ladies." Arifur Rahman shared that he held extensive discussions with Rao, who expressed her interest in working on Bangladeshi cinema.

"Independent films from Bangladesh and other South Asian countries will benefit from distribution support, as Kiran Rao has assured," Arif said. "We also spoke about several joint projects, which I will announce once finalised. She is keen to visit Bangladesh, and I hope this will bring positive developments for our film industry."