Dhaka International Film Festival

ঢাকা আন্তর্জাতিক চলচ্চিত্র উৎসব

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Arts & CultureDhaka
DatesDates TBA · Usually JanuaryCheck locally before booking
Duration9 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsFew Bangladeshi festivals carry this level
Language["bn"]Currency: BDT
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Dhaka International Film Festival in Dhaka

The Dhaka International Film Festival, founded in 1992 by Rainbow Film Society, is one of South Asia's longest-running recurring film festivals, screening international, South Asian and retrospective cinema across multiple Dhaka venues. It favors serious, packed daily programming over red-carpet spectacle, with sessions running back to back across the day.

Rainbow Film Society had already spent fifteen years screening cinema in Dhaka before it decided, in 1992, that its anniversary deserved an international-standard festival of its own, held that December under editor Mohammad Nasiruddin's opening address before the word International was even added to its name.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Few Bangladeshi festivals carry this level of institutional history: it grew out of a film society, Rainbow Film Society, founded in 1977, that built its own festival in 1992 to mark its fifteenth anniversary, and it has kept that society's curatorial identity, slogan and no-frills, cinephile-first culture ever since rather than becoming a celebrity-driven event

02

The mystery stays covered

Its combination of a dedicated South Asian competitive section, retrospectives and a children's film strand within one program is also distinctive among the region's festivals

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

Dhaka International Film Festival is documented as a recurring arts-culture festival in the Eventisimus atlas.

Participation

Calendar

Some moments are open to visitors; others belong to local participants. Follow barriers, steward instructions, and local etiquette.

Place memory

Place

The strongest version of the event is the one tied to Dhaka, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

Few Bangladeshi festivals carry this level of institutional history: it grew out of a film society, Rainbow Film Society, founded in 1977, that built...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually January

Getting around

Use Dhaka transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Comfortable, casual clothing works fine for long seated cinema days; bring a light layer, since Dhaka theatre venues are often heavily air-conditioned even in winter.

Safety

At Dhaka International Film Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Dhaka, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["bn"] · BDT

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map23.71 N, 90.41 EOpen in Google Maps

Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Nearest airportDAC — Hazrat Shahjalal
TransportUse Dhaka transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Dhaka, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Dhaka via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Dhaka, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for January.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable, casual clothing works fine for long seated cinema days; bring a light layer, since Dhaka theatre venues are often heavily air-conditioned even in winter.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Bangladesh and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Dhaka International Film Festival?

Dhaka International Film Festival is listed for Past edition: 10–18 January 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Dhaka International Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

9 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLbssnews.net
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually January
Source statusOfficial source linked
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