The Dhaka–China Day 2025 Film Festival kicked off on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, at North South University, showcasing the vibrant spirit of China-Bangladesh cultural exchange through cinema. Organized jointly by North South University and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bangladesh, the festival marked a celebration of storytelling, heritage, and cross-cultural collaboration, a press release said.
The inaugural day featured two highly anticipated screenings. The day began with the screening of the acclaimed Chinese film “The Truth 1”, held from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the NSU Main Auditorium. Audiences were immersed in a compelling narrative that reflected contemporary themes in Chinese society. The director of the film, Zhou Wenwubei, also joined virtually, offering remarks on the inspiration behind the film and its cultural context.
In the afternoon, the spotlight shifted to Bangladesh’s own film industry with a special screening of “Utshob”, held from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The session drew significant attention with the presence of renowned director Tanim Noor and celebrated actors Sadia Ayman, SyedaTuhin Ara Karim (Aupee Karim), and Zahid Hasan, who engaged warmly with the audience. Reflecting on the experience, Zahid Hasan said, “I encourage you all to look at life in a simple way; it will help you go a long way. I am truly happy to have worked with a team like Utshob.” Aupee Karim added, “The film has a very homely feel, and I sincerely invite you to watch it with your family. Please do watch it together.” Director Tanim Noor explained that the film was inspired by the Western classic “A Christmas Carol” and has been thoughtfully adapted to reflect Bangladeshi culture, aligning with the spirit of Eid.
Following the screening, the Utshob team engaged the audience in an interactive Q&A session, where students and attendees shared their thoughts and asked insightful questions about the film’s themes, production process, and cultural message. The discussion covered the evolution of Bangladeshi cinema, the making of Utshob, and the importance of cultural storytelling in strengthening national identity.
The festival brought together students, faculty, film enthusiasts, and members of the cultural community in Dhaka. It served as a platform to bridge a dialogue between the film industries of both countries, encouraging future joint ventures in cinema, education, and cultural exchangey.
The honorable Vice Chancellor of North South University expressed his gratitude to the cast and crew of Utshob for their presence and praised the initiative as an important cultural exchange. He highlighted that the screening was part of the Dhaka-China Day Film Festival, a celebration of cultural collaboration between Bangladesh and China.
As part of the Dhaka–China Day 2025 celebrations, the film festival will continue until 25 September, with more screenings and discussions planned to engage audiences in both traditional and modern cinematic expressions from Bangladesh and China.
This special event was jointly organized by the Confucius Institute at NSU, CSCSS, and SIPG, and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bangladesh, reflecting a strong partnership in promoting cross-cultural understanding. The Vice Chancellor warmly welcomed everyone to enjoy the collaboration between Bangladesh and China and encouraged all to join in the festivities of this unique event.
