Fionnula is a member of the London Film Critics’ Circle, BAFTA and the European Film Academy, and a top-rated critic on Rotten Tomatoes.
On returning to the short film format, Bayati said, “Filmmaking is my true calling. I began my career with short films, and returning to this format after a long time has been incredibly fulfilling. Alongside feature films, I want to continue making shorts — to tell real human stories that matter.”
The "Animation” section, one of the main sections of the festival, will screen 12 animated films this year, including the latest works from Japan and overseas. The lineup is as follows.
Persian-Kurdish Lela (Amira Casar) and her sensual American daughter June (Ayden Mayeri) travel to a romantic Azorean island, for the one-year anniversary of Dad’s death.
They connect with me because of my work, and that’s the greatest achievement for any actor. Honestly, I sometimes think I’ve received far more love than I deserve compared to what I’ve given. It’s a privilege to be cherished like this, and it inspires me to work harder. Without more work, I won’t be able to repay the love.
I learned so much there that it’s hard to explain briefly. But one moment stands out—during my interview, when the judges asked questions, everyone showed deep interest in Bangladesh: our culture, our people, our heritage. Seeing such genuine curiosity about my country truly moved me.
Sadman Sameer began his journey in the media nearly one and a half decades ago with a commercial for Citycell. Since then, he has consistently worked in dramas and films. Some of his notable films include Epar Opar, Time Machine, and Superhero.
