A night that changed everything for our team
Mehedi Hasan
Creative Director, RM
When we started making Megher Bhitore Rod, we never imagined it would receive this level of recognition. The film was born out of a deeply personal connection to the river communities of Bangladesh — communities whose stories have been told about them, but rarely by them or with them.
The Dhaka International Film Festival has long been a beacon for South Asian cinema, and to have our work recognized on this platform is both humbling and validating. The competition was fierce — filmmakers from across the region brought extraordinary work, each reflecting the depth and diversity of our shared human experience.
Winning Best Short Film is not just a trophy for our shelf. It is a signal that the kind of storytelling we believe in — slow, intentional, culturally rooted — has a place on the world stage. It proves that audiences are hungry for authenticity, for stories that do not compromise, for cinema that respects both its subjects and its viewers.
We dedicate this award to every river community that opened their doors to us, every family that shared their stories, and every crew member who braved the elements to capture something real. This is your award as much as ours.
This award belongs to every community that trusted us with their story. We are merely the vessel.— Mehedi Hasan, Creative Director
The Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) is one of the most prestigious film festivals in South Asia. The Best Short Film award recognizes exceptional storytelling, cinematography, and cultural significance in short-form cinema.
Following this recognition, Megher Bhitore Rod has been submitted to several international festivals including Berlin, Toronto, and Busan. We are also developing a feature-length version of the story.
