Bangladeshi director Adnan Al Rajeev’s highly-praised short film “Ali” has received a nomination in the Best Short Form (Scripted) division at the upcoming Asian Academy Creative Awards 2025. The film will be vying for the award against entries from various countries including Australia’s “Moonbird”, China’s “The Leopard Cat Scholar”, and Japan’s “MICE MEDIA: Lessons in Internet Literacy – Is That Picture Real?” among others.
Clocking in at 15 minutes, “Ali” narrates the tale of a young boy residing in a traditional seaside community where females are prohibited from singing. Endowed with a talent for mimicking a female voice, he clandestinely participates in a citywide singing contest, symbolizing themes of identity, self-expression, and the quest for recognition in a conservative society. Director Rajeev has characterized the film’s core message as revolving around “voice as identity, visibility, and resistance”.
Having made its debut at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, “Ali” made history as the first Bangladeshi creation to clinch a Special Jury Mention. Subsequently, it has been showcased at esteemed events like the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, receiving acclaim for its daring storyline and cultural significance.
The Asian Academy Creative Awards, which celebrate outstanding storytelling in 40 different categories, recently disclosed its National Winners, with the final event set to take place at Singapore’s Capitol Theatre on December 4 under the auspices of the Asian Academy of Creative Arts.