The grand Closing Ceremony of the 11th Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival (DIMFF) 2025 took place on February 23 at Star Cineplex, Shimanto Shambhar.
The evening was a celebration of creativity and innovation in mobile filmmaking, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts from around the world.
This year, the festival received an impressive 117 film submissions from 28 countries, with 27 films making it to the official selection. Four outstanding films, one from each category, were awarded for their excellence.
The ceremony commenced with an inspiring speech by Prof. Sumon Rahman, setting the tone for the night. The Chief Guest, renowned filmmaker Gias Uddin Selim, took the stage to present awards to the esteemed Jury Members, UNHCR Representatives, and the Festival Director of DIMFF’25, Hossain Haque. Adding to the significance of the event, Tasnuva Ahmed Tina, CEO of Deepto TV, shared her best wishes through a video message.One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the screening of 13 selected films from this year’s lineup. Sitting among a captivated audience, I was mesmerized by the sheer brilliance of these films—each crafted using only mobile phones, without professional lighting or elaborate technical support. The ingenuity and storytelling prowess on display were truly commendable.
Following the screenings, Jury Member Taneam Rahman Angshu shared his thoughts on the films he evaluated. While he praised the quality and creativity of the selections, he noted that only one Bangladeshi film was showcased on the closing day and expressed his hope to see more local representation in the future.Chief Guest Gias Uddin Selim then delivered his remarks, emphasizing the significance of mobile filmmaking and how DIMFF has grown into a globally recognized platform over the past 11 years. He expressed his optimism about the festival’s future, hoping it will gain even more prominence worldwide.Juliette Murekeyisoni, Representative of UNHCR, also took the stage to reflect on her experience at DIMFF. She particularly highlighted the workshop organized in collaboration with UNHCR, praising the enthusiasm and engagement of its participants. She described the closing event as nothing short of a Hollywood-like experience.The highlight of the evening was the much-awaited announcement of this year’s winners.
In the Open Door Category, Message by Saeed Moltaji from Iran took home the top prize. In the Vertical Film Category, Limbus by M.C. Jonet from the United States was declared the winner. The Short Film Category award went to Wandering Minds & Lost Lessons by Abeer Bhaskar from the United States, while WAY OUT by Khoirom Anik from Bangladesh was recognized as the best film in the One Minute Film Category. Additionally, The Stateless, a film from the UNHCR mobile filmmaking workshop, was awarded in the special category.
To conclude the event, Sayeda Sadia Mehjabin, Advisor of DIMFF, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants, guests, and supporters who contributed to making this festival a success.
As I walked out of the venue, I couldn’t help but reflect on the impact of this festival. It is inspiring to see how mobile filmmaking continues to break barriers, democratizing storytelling for aspiring filmmakers worldwide. With each passing year, DIMFF cements its place as a vital platform for emerging talents, and I eagerly look forward to its future editions.