DHAKA, March 23, 2022 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has allocated Taka 1000 crore for setting up cinema halls or cineplex at district and upazila levels having modern facilities to furtherflourish film industry of the country.

"It is now information technology's age. The cinema industry was analogue
which I want to make digitised. So, we allocated Taka 1000 crore. I want to
build modern cinema halls or cineplex at district and upazila levels," she
said.

The prime minister was addressing the handing over ceremony of the National
Film Award-2020 at city's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC),
joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence here as the chief
guest this morning.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry organised the function.

The prime minister said her government has taken measures to digitalize the
old films.

Mentioning that the film is the reflection of the society, she said it can
play a big role in reforming the society.

The film related people could discharge their due role and responsibilities
towards the nation and the country by making good cinemas, she added.

Describing the film as the bearer of the history, she said it would help know
many things unfamiliar to us.

The prime minister urged all concerned to make good movies which can play a
significant role in eliminating irregularities and disarray from the society.

On behalf of the premier, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan
Mahmud handed over the awards among the recipients as he presided over the
function.

Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting
Ministry Hasanul Haq Inu was present.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md. Mokbul Hossain delivered the
welcome speech.

The premier called upon all concerned to make more films on the country's Liberation War, sacrifice of the masses, quality education, people and their patriotism.

"Alongside providing entertainment, cinemas can play role in reforming the society, educating and encouraging the people in patriotism and thus help the country march towards prosperity," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said she wants Bangladesh's culture to flourish further.

"Bangladesh is marching ahead and will far advance and our film industry will make further progress," she said.

The prime minister said she becomes overwhelmed seeing Bangladeshi movies, adding, "The making of our film is so nice despite the limited resources."

She said that she usually watch Bangladeshi movies in planes while going abroad.

Recalling the contribution of the artistes to the Liberation War, she said her government has been working tirelessly to give the film industry a strong footing.

The prime minister said there are huge intellectuals in the country, adding that the hidden talents should come out to the light and use their expertise for the welfare of the nation.

She greeted the young artistes for their outstanding works in the film industry and urged them to devote themselves to make good movies which will help young generation get a better life.

The prime minister said her government has formed a welfare trust by giving a seed money for the artistes aimed at providing them financial assistances in their hardship.

She called upon the rich people to donate in large number in the fund.

Describing the language, literature and culture as priceless assets, she urged all to make movies on the history, culture and heritage of the country.

The premier recalled the contribution of Bangabandhu to development of film and said Bangabandhu had first created the scope of making film by a Bangalee in Bangladesh as he placed the bill titled "East Pakistan Film Development Corporation" in the parliament and it was passed.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu had set up the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) and took other necessary measures for the overall development of film.

But, after the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975, she said the voice of art and culture of Bangalees was gagged and propaganda was carried out for distorting the history of independence.

Earlier on February 15 this year, the names of the recipients of National Film Award-2020 have been announced in 27 categories.

'Gor (The Grave)' and 'Bishwoshundori' movies jointly won the award in the best film category.

Gor (The Grave) was jointly produced by Gazi Rakayet and Faridur Reza Sagar while Anjan Chowdhury was the producer of 'Bishwoshundori'.

Eminent artistes Anwara Begum and Raisul Islam Asad got the lifetime achievement awards-2020 for their enormous contributions to the film industry.

Gazi Rakayet has been given the best director award for his film 'Gor'.

Siam Ahmed was awarded the best actor for leading role in film 'Bishwoshundori', while the best actress in leading role award-2020 went to Deepanwita Martin for film 'Gor'.

The best actor in supporting role award went to Fazlur Rahman Babu for film 'Bishwoshundori' while Aparna Ghose won the best supporting actress award for film 'Gondi'.

Misha Sawdagor was awarded best actor in a negative role for film 'Bir'. Mugdhota Morshed Wriddhi won the best child artiste award for film 'Gondi'.

Belal Khan bagged the best music director's award for the song 'Bishshash Jodi Jayre' of the film 'Hridoy Jurey', while late Md Sahidur Rahman won the award in the best dance director category for film 'Bishwoshundori'.

The best singer award went to Md. Mahmudul Haque Imran (film 'Bishwoshundori'), while Dilshad Nahar Kona and Somnur Monir Konal were jointly got the best female singer awards for their songs in 'Bishwoshundori' and 'Bir' films.

Documentary 'Bangabandhur Rajnoitik Jibon o Bangladesher Obbhyudoy' directed by Syed Ashique Rahman, was awarded in the best documentary category, while short film 'Aarong', directed by Jannatul Ferdaus ,was awarded in the best short film category.

The other award winners are: Kabir Bakul (best lyricist), Md. Mahmudul Haque Imran (best composer), Gazi Rakayet (story), Gazi Rakayet (screenwriter), Fakhrul Arefeen Khan (dialogue), Shariful Islam
(editor), Uttam Kumar Guha (best art direction), Pankaj Palit and Mahbub Ullah Niaz (jointly for best cinematographer), Md Shahadat Hasan Badhon (special award under best child artist category), Kazi Selim Ahmed (sound designer), Enamtara Begum (costume) and Mohammad Ali Babul (makeup).

On behalf of the recipients, noted artist Raisul Islam Asad expressed his feelings at the function.