Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki handed over the prize to the film’s Director Erke Dzhumakmatova today in Busan of South Korea. Photo: PID

Dhaka, Sept 25, 2025 (BSS) - The film ‘Kurak’ has been awarded the Bangladesh July Memorial Prize at the Busan International Film Festival. 

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki formally handed over the prize to the film’s Director Erke Dzhumakmatova today.

The week-long international film fest began on Sept 19 in Busan of South Korea. 

Kurak was selected for the July Memorial Prize from among the competing films under the ‘Vision Asia’ section.

The July Memorial Prize, introduced this year with the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangladesh, is awarded on the basis of themes focusing on social justice, freedom of speech and expression, civil rights, or struggles against inequality. 

It commemorates the historic July Uprising of 2024. The award carries a cash value of one lac South Korean won.

The film begins with scenes from women’s protests in Bishkek in 2020, where male attacks and police crackdowns scattered the gatherings. 

The story follows two young women: webcam model Mirim and Nargizawhose lives here connect with narratives of the women’s rights movement and demonstrations against social injustices.

The film Kurak (meaning ‘patchwork’ in Kyrgyz) portrays diverse women’s voices converge into a powerful collective call, breaking through the walls of oppression.