Bangladeshi filmmaker Zayed Siddiki’s most recent short film, titled “Darkaak” (RAVEN, 2024), has been chosen to compete in the 31st Minsk International Film Festival Listapad, one of Eastern Europe’s esteemed film festivals. The event, organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, the Minsk City Executive Committee, and the National Film Studio “Belarusfilm,” is a prominent cultural happening in Belarus and has been accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) in the past. Scheduled for October 31 to November 7, the 2025 edition of the festival will be held under the theme “History that Changes Perspectives.”
This year’s competition lineup comprises 157 films from 41 nations, selected from a pool of 3,655 entries representing 120 countries. Out of more than 2,200 submissions, only 13 short films have been chosen, with “Darkaak” (RAVEN) being the sole entry from Bangladesh in the short film category. The screening of the film is set for Thursday, November 2, at 3:00 pm local time at the renowned Moskva Cinema in Minsk, the venue for the entire short film competition.
Based on a short story by renowned writer Shahidul Zahir, “Darkaak” (RAVEN) was both scripted and dialogued by Zayed Siddiki. The film narrates the story of an elderly man reliant on his family who encounters a profound existential crisis. Feeling marginalized in a critical family decision, he retreats into himself, displaying defiance and disorientation. Through “Darkaak” (RAVEN), Siddiki delves into the unseen struggles and tumultuous lives of urban subalterns, shedding light on their vivid experiences.