Bangladesh Documentary Filmmakers Association
Established in 2015, the Bangladesh Documentary Filmmakers Association (BDFA) is a professional organization dedicated to the production and promotion of documentary films.
The Association is committed to preserving history, culture, literature, and the lives of distinguished personalities through high-quality documentary filmmaking.
A key figure of the Association, Masud Karim, earned a Diploma in Filmmaking from Whistling Woods International – Institute for Film, Communication and Creative Arts,
located in Film City, Mumbai, India. The institute was founded by renowned Indian filmmaker Mr. Subhash Ghai, who serves as its Founder and Chairman.
Masud Karim is one of Bangladesh’s distinguished documentary filmmakers. His notable self-funded documentary productions include:
Soumitra Chatterjee (2015) – A documentary on the life and legacy of the legendary Indian actor, poet, and writer.
National Professor Dr. Anisuzzaman, Padma Bhushan (2018) – A tribute to the eminent Bangladeshi scholar and National Professor.
Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury (2020) – A documentary on the life and contributions of the renowned writer, columnist, and journalist.
Assamer Bangla Bhasha Andolon (2024) – A documentary highlighting the Bengali Language Movement in Assam, commemorating the language martyrs of 19 May 1961 in Silchar, India.
The Bangladesh Documentary Filmmakers Association is officially registered with the Copyright Office of Bangladesh under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of Bangladesh.
Through its work, the Association continues to document and preserve significant historical, cultural, and literary narratives for future generations.
Management Body
The Bangladesh Documentary Filmmakers Association (BDFA) is led by a dedicated team of professionals committed to promoting documentary filmmaking and preserving history, culture, and heritage through visual storytelling.
The current management body consists of:
Masud Karim – Founding President
sehangal Biplob – Secretary General
Sheikh Sadi Marzan – Press and Publications Secretary
The Association is honored to have Poet Nasir Ahmed as its Advisor, whose guidance and support have been invaluable to the organization.
Since its establishment in 2015, Journalist and filmmaker Mainul Shaheed and Mainul Haq (Atlanta, USA) have been serving as dedicated Executive Committee Members, contributing significantly to the growth and development of the Association.
Together, the management team works to strengthen the documentary film movement in Bangladesh by encouraging research-based filmmaking, preserving historical narratives, and promoting documentary cinema both nationally and internationally.
Our Slogan
“Documents for the Next Generation “– We Preserve History for Our Next Generation.
Our Mission
The mission of the Bangladesh Documentary Filmmakers Association (BDFA) is to preserve, document, and promote the history, culture, heritage, language, literature, and the lives of remarkable individuals through authentic and high-quality documentary filmmaking.
We are committed to:
Producing independent, research-based documentary films.
Preserving historical events and cultural heritage for future generations.
Encouraging creativity, professionalism, and ethical standards in documentary filmmaking.
Supporting and mentoring emerging documentary filmmakers.
Promoting Bangladeshi documentary films on national and international platforms.
Building collaborations with filmmakers, academic institutions, cultural organizations, and media professionals around the world.
Our Vision
Our vision is to become Bangladesh’s leading documentary filmmaking organization, recognized nationally and internationally for preserving history through powerful visual storytelling.
We aspire to: Create a lasting audiovisual archive of Bangladesh’s history, culture, and heritage.
Inspire future generations to appreciate and protect their historical and cultural identity.
Produce documentaries that educate, inform, and inspire audiences worldwide.
Promote cross-cultural understanding through documentary films.
Establish Bangladesh as a respected contributor to the global documentary filmmaking community.
Through our work, we believe that every documentary is more than a film—it is a lasting historical record that preserves the stories of today for the generations of tomorrow.
BDFA forms human chain demanding Myanmar to release Japanese filmmaker
DHAKA, Oct 8, 2022 (BSS) – Bangladesh Documentary Filmmakers Association((BDFA) today staged a human chain here urging Myanmar to release Japanese filmmaker and journalist Toru Kubota, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in a ‘farcical trial’.
“We strongly protest the farcical trial and imprisonment of this young free-thinking media activist and filmmaker, Toru Kubota,” the association’s president Masud Karim told media.
The organization’s advisor poet and Bangla Academy awarded journalist Nasir Ahmed, General Secretary filmmaker Sehangal Biplob spoke on the demand for the release of Toru Kubota.
Toru Kubota, just 26 years old, was arrested last July at a protest rally in Yangon, Myanmar.
At the time, he faced charges of violating immigration laws and encouraging dissent against the ruling military.
An official of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the matter last Thursday.
