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DHAKA, May 17, 2025 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana today said Bangladesh Film Archive will work on collecting and preserving audio-visual documents of July uprising.
She said this in a discussion meeting organized marking the 47th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Film Archive in the capital's Agargaon.
Mahbuba Farjana said that as a traditional and specialized institution, Bangladesh Film Archive is fulfilling its responsibility of preserving important visual and image-based records.
She expressed optimism that with advancements in technology, the capabilities of Bangladesh Film Archive will further expand, highlighting plans for enhancing and modernizing film vault management through the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment.
The secretary recalled with respect the invaluable contributions of those who lost their lives, sustained injuries, or were maimed during the July Uprising.
She further affirmed that Bangladesh Film Archive will actively collect and preserve audio-visual documents related to the July uprising.
Expressing her hopes, she encouraged talented artistes and those with an understanding of film to come forward and collaborate so that the next generation can know that they sacrificed their lives to establish a society without discrimination in Bangladesh.
The secretary also noted that Bangladesh Film Archive is a member of International Federation of Film Archives and International Association of Audio-Visual Archives, maintaining active connections with both organizations.
She underscored the importance of exchanging experiences with these international institutions to strengthen the Film Archive's capacity.
Speaking at the event as chair, Bangladesh Film Archive Director General (DG) Md Abdul Jalil said Bangladesh Film Archive is dedicated to collecting and preserving many domestic and foreign films. "We have strengthened the activities of digitally preserving these films so that future generations can learn about our culture and heritage."
He said the country's proud young generation and Generation Z (Gen-Z) played fearless and glorious role in the mass uprising of students and the public in 2024 in building a discrimination-free society and state as well as has written a bright chapter in the history of Bangladesh.
"We have undertaken a priority project to collect and preserve audio-visual documents of this mass uprising for future generations. The project is currently awaiting final approval," he added.
Under this project, Jalil said, in addition to producing a documentary on the July mass uprising, a museum and an interactive archive will be established, while information, including films and footage from domestic and foreign sources, will be collected and preserved.
In addition, advanced technology and equipment will be installed to modernize the preservation and display facilities of these audio-visual documents, he said, adding, "I firmly believe that through this, the institutional capacity of Bangladesh Film Archive will be further consolidated."
Bangladesh Film Archive Director Farhana Rahman delivered a welcome speech at the event, while Director Muhammad Arif Sadeq moderated the event.
Additional Secretary of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md Kausar Ahmed, actress Rozina, Managing Director of BFDC Masuma Rahman Tani, former Project Director of Film Archive Building Construction Project Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, Film Editor and Director Fazle Haque, President of Film Directors Association Shaheen Sumon, Producer and Director Saymon Sadiq, National Film Award-winning actor Helal Khan, Expert Committee Member of Bangladesh Film Archive Labib Nazmus Shakib and Jury Board Member of National Film Awards Saidur Rahman Sayed also spoke.
Before the discussion, a rally was held to mark the 47th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Film Archive. Officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and film-related people participated in the rally.
