Critically acclaimed actress Azmeri Haque Badhon won the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival (HKAFF) award in the 'New Talent' category for her performance in "Rehana Maryam Noor". The film had also bagged the Asia Pacific Screen Awards for Grand Jury and Best Actress. The jury board announced the names of the awardees yesterday.

"Rehana Maryam Noor", directed by Abdullah Mohammad Saad, made history as the first Bangladeshi film to be screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard section, earlier this year. Un Certain Regard, meaning "from another angle", presents 20 films with unusual styles and non-traditional stories seeking international recognition. The film received a standing ovation during its premiere at Cannes.

It revolves around Rehana (Badhon), an assistant professor at a medical college. While she continues to balance her roles as a medical professional, a mother, and a teacher among others, her life changes once she comes across an unexpected incident involving a female student.

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The incident propels her into a fight against the system on behalf of the student, and her daughter. Alongside Badhon, "Rehana Maryam Noor" also stars Afia Tabassum Borno, Afia Zahin, Kazi Sami Hasan, and Tuhin Tajimul, among others.

"Rehana Maryam Noor" sheds light on the themes of closure and oppression, pushing a person towards the final test of their mental well-being. The cinematography helps the audience relate to the mood and struggle of Rehana, while the single handed shots radiate the inertia and struggle felt by the lead character, noted the jury of HKAFF.

"Ballad of a White Cow", "Increasing Echo", "Shankar's Fairies", "White Building", "Costa Brava" and "Kim Min-young of the Report Card" were also nominated for the 'New Talent' award this year at the HKAFF.