Director Adnan Al Rajib’s short film Ali has made history as the first Bangladeshi film to be recognized in the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival. At the 78th edition of the prestigious event, held at the Grand Théâtre Lumière in the Palais des Festivals, Ali received a ‘Special Mention’ from the jury in the short film category.
The Palme d’Or for Best Short Film went to Israeli director Tawfiq Barhom’s I’m Glad You’re Dead Now. However, Ali’s recognition marked a groundbreaking moment for Bangladeshi cinema. When jury head Maren Ade announced the special mention for Ali, director Adnan Al Rajib received a standing ovation from the audience.
Following the announcement, Rajib wrote on Facebook: “This is for Bangladesh.”
Ali tells the story of a teenage boy from a conservative coastal village where women are forbidden to sing. The protagonist enters a singing competition, using his unique ability to sing in a female voice, in hopes of reaching the city and breaking cultural taboos.
The film stars Al Amin in the titular role and was shot in Sylhet in November last year. The 15-minute short was produced by Tanvir Hossain (Bangladesh) and Christine De Leon (Philippines), with Runout Films handling line production.
The recognition at Cannes has sparked widespread celebration across Bangladesh’s entertainment industry. Actress Mehjabeen Chowdhury, Rajib’s wife, wrote, “Bangladesh has won an award from the Cannes Film Festival for the first time! Congratulations to Adnan Al Rajib and the ‘Ali’ team!”
Other notable figures, including producers Chayanika Chowdhury and Redwan Rony, hailed the film as a turning point for Bangladeshi cinema.
Adnan Al Rajib, known for his work in commercials and television dramas over the past two decades, said, “We tried to discover an inevitable truth through our personal lives… in a simple, straightforward, and beautiful way.”
Ali’s international acclaim marks a significant milestone in the global recognition of Bangladeshi storytelling and creative expression.
