DHAKA, Jan 15, 2022 (BSS) - The 20th edition of Dhaka International Film 
Festival (DIFF) began at the National Museum in the capital here today. 

   Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen inaugurated the nine-day DIFF festival 
as the chief guest at the main auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum at 
4pm, said a press release. 

   Speaking on the occasion, the foreign minister said movies and films play 
important role in the development of a generation. 

  "I firmly believe that DIFF's annual festivals have been significant in 
shaping the young minds towards accepting diversity, globalism and 
liberalism," he said.

   Besides, Dr Momen said the DIFF has also created space for young and 
aspiring filmmakers in Bangladesh and beyond to connect with global artistic 
trends. 

   State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid and Indian High Commissioner 
to Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami addressed the opening ceremony as special 
guests, with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam in the 
chair. 

   A total of 225 films from 70 countries will be screened in the festival, 
with 129 full-length feature films and 96 short and independent films.

   Bangladesh will be represented through 18 full-length feature films and 22 
short and independent films, read the release. 

   The films will be screened at the Bangladesh National Museum, Alliance 
Francaise de Dhaka, Star Cineplex, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Sufia Kamal 
National Public Library and the academy auditorium of the foreign ministry.

   They will be screened under 10 categories - Asian cinema competition 
section, retrospective, wide angle, tribute, Bangladesh panorama, cinema of 
the world, children films, women filmmakers, short and independent films and 
spiritual films.

   Rainbow Film Society has been organising the DIFF every year since 1992.