Bangladeshi Independent short film "Kraati", directed by Dibarah Mahboob, has garnered international acclaim with official selections at the Anatolia International Film Festival in Turkey and the Cine Paris International Film Festival in France. The film has also been nominated for Best Short Film and Best First-Time Director at Cine Paris, alongside Best Female Lead nominations for its debut actresses at Anatolia.

Set against the backdrop of the July Monsoon Revolution of 2024, "Kraati" highlights the pivotal role of women in Bangladesh's recent uprisings—stories that often remain untold. The film, presented through a distinctly female gaze, seeks to preserve and amplify these narratives, marking a significant moment for Bangladeshi independent cinema and female-led storytelling.

Photo: Courtesy

Featuring a predominantly female team, "Kraati" showcases the increasing presence of women in the filmmaking industry, where female voices still struggle for visibility.

Speaking about her vision, Dibarah Mahboob stated, "World cinema needs more South Asian stories—especially from Bangladesh, one of the largest populations in the world. Our stories, our women, and our history are unique and deserve to be shared. I wanted to enter filmmaking to ensure that Bangladeshi women are not sidelined—neither in history nor on screen. And I want those stories to be told through the pen and lens of a Bangladeshi woman."

The film's lead actresses, Tasneem Islam Arna and Palama Ahmed, have been nominated for Best Female Lead at the Anatolia International Film Festival. Tasneem Islam Arna is a dancer, fire-spinner, event organiser, and former UNDP communications professional, while Palama Ahmed is a former international pageant winner, model, entrepreneur, and chef-in-training currently competing in Deepto TV Star Hunt.

Photo: Courtesy

"Kraati" has already made an impact locally, with a sold-out screening in Dhaka at the Stories Untold Short Film Showcase at Naveed's Comedy Club.

Dibarah Mahboob, a Chevening Fellow with an MA in Visual Anthropology from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a BA from Mount Holyoke College, USA, made her directorial debut with "Kraati" without prior industry experience, connections, or institutional support.

Her journey into filmmaking is not just an artistic pursuit but a movement to amplify female-led storytelling and break gender barriers in Bangladeshi cinema.

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With its international recognition and powerful storytelling, "Kraati" stands as a testament to the growing influence of Bangladeshi women in film, ensuring their voices are heard both on-screen and in history.