At the opening session of the 17th Bangladesh International Short and Independent Film Festival 2024, held at the National Museum's main auditorium in Shahbagh, Dhaka, on Friday (December 20), Advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Md. Nahid Islam, highlighted the importance of resisting fascism. He emphasized that while the Liberation War brought independence, the dreams of the people remained unfulfilled, leading to the mass uprising of 2024.

Nahid Islam urged filmmakers to counter misinformation surrounding the uprising through short films, warning against politicizing this movement, as had happened with the Liberation War. He also called for strengthening cultural movements to combat lingering fascist tendencies in society and dismantle governance structures rooted in authoritarianism, even though a specific fascist regime was ousted through the July-August revolution.

Distinguished guests at the event included renowned photographer Nasir Ali Mamun, City Bank's Country Business Manager Ashanur Rahman, President of the Bangladesh Short Film Forum Dr. Zahirul Islam, and festival director Syed Imran Hossain Kirmani.

Organized by the Bangladesh Short Film Forum, the festival was dedicated to the martyrs and artists of the July-August movement and commemorated the centenary of artist SM Sultan. The event features 276 films from 100 countries and will run from December 20 to December 27.