BFIAA — Est. 2009
Uniting the voices of cinema. A family of filmmakers, storytellers, and film lovers shaped by Bangladesh's premier film institution.
The Bangladesh Film Institute Alumni Association (BFIAA) is the official alumni organisation of the Bangladesh Film Institute (BFI), founded in 2005 by the acclaimed filmmaker and author Tanvir Mokammel.
BFIAA was established to bring together the growing family of BFI graduates — filmmakers, cinematographers, editors, producers, and film enthusiasts — who have been shaped by Bangladesh's most dedicated institution for cinema education.
Over more than two decades, BFI has produced over 1,000 graduates across 86+ batches, offering programmes ranging from the Film Appreciation Course to the Online Filmmaking Course. The Alumni Association serves as the living thread that keeps this community connected, active, and creative.
Through its biennial conferences, Uralchitra magazine, Cine Club Adda film screenings, and cultural programmes, BFIAA continues to champion the cause of independent cinema and film culture in Bangladesh.
"A renowned Bangladeshi filmmaker, author, and the guiding force behind the Bangladesh Film Institute."
Tanvir Mokammel has profoundly shaped the landscape of independent cinema in Bangladesh. He has directed eight fiction films and seventeen documentaries, earning ten National Film Awards for his exceptional work.
Beyond filmmaking, he is a prolific writer with twenty-eight books published, including novels, articles, poems, and short stories that reflect deeply on Bangladeshi history and culture.
For his lifelong dedication to the arts, he was honored with the Ekushey Padak, the second-highest civilian award in Bangladesh. Currently, he serves as the director of BFI, continuing to mentor the next generation of filmmakers.
Promote and nurture a vibrant film culture across Bangladesh by bringing together alumni who are active voices in independent and documentary filmmaking.
Maintain a register of all BFI graduates and create meaningful connections between alumni working in film, media, education, and related creative fields.
Assist and cooperate with the Bangladesh Film Institute in its educational programmes, workshops, masterclasses, and the overall mission of cinema literacy.
Publish Uralchitra, the association's magazine on film culture, and maintain an archive of alumni work, screening records, and institutional memory.
Organise Cine Club Adda screenings, film appreciation events, and celebrate the work of alumni filmmakers through festivals and retrospectives.
Connect Bangladesh's film community with international film institutes, festivals, and networks — giving BFI alumni a global platform.
Full committee list available in the official gazette · View Constitution →
"বিকল্পধারার চলচ্চিত্রকে এগিয়ে নেওয়ার দৃঢ় প্রত্যয় নিয়ে অনুষ্ঠিত হলো বাংলাদেশ ফিল্ম ইনস্টিটিউট অ্যালামনাই এসোসিয়েশনের ৬ষ্ঠ দ্বি-বার্ষিক সম্মেলন।"
On December 17th, 2021, the 6th Biennial Conference was held at Sanskriti Bikash Kendra in Paribagh, presided over by outgoing president Dr. Mohammad Jahangir Hossain. BFI Director Tanvir Mokammel graced the event as Chief Guest alongside esteemed faculty members Syed Shabab Ali Arzu, Rakibul Hasan, Sagir Mostafa, and Rana Masud.
The conference awarded honorary crests to BFI teachers, conferred certificates upon Online Filmmaking Course graduates, screened 9 student short films, and formed the 21-member Executive Committee (2021–2023) headed by President Shahina Hafiz Daisy.
"A landmark gathering uniting pioneering graduates, filmmakers, and faculty to forge the 2019–2021 Advisory & Executive Councils."
On June 28th, 2019, the BFIAA Biennial Conference was held at the Public Library Seminar Hall, presided over by President Imtiaz Pavel and moderated by Sagir Mostafa. BFI Director Tanvir Mokammel graced the event as Chief Guest, with Dr. Mohammad Jahangir Hossain as Special Guest.
The historic conference culminated in establishing a 7-member Advisory Council led by Tanvir Mokammel as Chief Advisor, and a 23-member Executive Council headed by Dr. Mohammad Jahangir Hossain.
BFIAA organizes film festivals, masterclasses, and networking events for alumni and cinema enthusiasts. Stay connected with our community and explore our major initiatives below.
PAST SCREENING
On Thursday, December 29th, 2022, the BFIAA monthly "Cine Club Adda" hosted a special screening of সংশপ্তক- বীরশ্রেষ্ঠ মতিউর রহমানের কাহিনী, directed by BFI alumni Sajjad Khan. The film was screened virtually via Zoom and Facebook Live, bringing together alumni from across the globe. The session was hosted by BFIAA Publicity Secretary and filmmaker, Mamun Sobhani.
PAST SCREENING
On Tuesday, August 9th, 2022, the BFIAA monthly "Cine Club Adda" hosted a special screening of পৌণঃপুণিক, directed by BFI alumni Khandaker Sumon. The film was screened virtually via Zoom, bringing together alumni from across the globe. The session was hosted by BFIAA Publicity Secretary and filmmaker, Mamun Sobhani.
PAST WEBINAR
On Friday, March 4th, 2022, BFIAA presented its inaugural live webinar series "Cinema Kotha" (সিনেমা কথা) in memory of legendary filmmaker Zahir Raihan on the theme "রাজনৈতিক চলচ্চিত্রকার হিসেবে জহির রায়হান" (Zahir Raihan as a Political Filmmaker). Renowned filmmaker and BFIAA Chief Advisor Tanvir Mokammel featured as keynote speaker, moderated by Advisor Sagir Mostafa, with an essay reading by member Redwan Hossain Riyad, streamed live on Facebook.
PAST SCREENING
On Saturday, February 12th, 2022, the monthly "BFIAA Cine Club Adda" presented a special screening of the acclaimed short film “ম্যান” (Man), followed by an interactive "Meet the Director" session with former BFIAA President and filmmaker Imtiaz Pavel. The session was hosted by BFIAA Organizing Secretary and filmmaker Aparajita Sangita, streamed live on Facebook.
COMMITTEE MEETING
On Friday, January 7th, 2022, the inaugural 1st meeting of the 6th Executive Committee was held at the BFI premises, presided over by President Shahina Hafiz Daisy with BFI Director Tanvir Mokammel as Chief Guest and former President Dr. Mohammad Jahangir Hossain as Special Guest, with 16 committee members attending.
Dive into the brilliant mind of legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen through the lens of our founder, Tanvir Mokammel. In this exclusive, deeply insightful Masterclass, you will explore the rebellious philosophy, radical storytelling, and unapologetic craft that defined Sen's cinematic universe. A must-watch for any true cinephile.
In March 2023, the Bangladesh Film Institute Alumni Association (BFIAA) successfully hosted a monumental three-day retrospective festival to honor three decades of independent cinema by eminent filmmaker Tanvir Mokammel.
This historic gathering of cinema lovers and scholars featured screenings of seven of his most acclaimed documentaries, an exclusive Masterclass on the "Art of Documentary", and a special "Meet the Director" session to celebrate his birthday. The festival culminated in the highly anticipated launch of the URALCHITRA Special Edition, preserving his remarkable journey for future generations.
ORGANIZED BY BANGLADESH FILM INSTITUTE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (BFIAA)
BFIAA publishes the 4th edition of Uralchitra — a Special Edition
celebrating "30 Years in Documentary Films of Tanvir Mokammel",
marking BFI's three-decade journey in film education and independent cinema.
Uralchitra (literally, "the flying image") is the official magazine of the Bangladesh Film Institute Alumni Association. There are a total of 4 publications of Uralchitra released so far.
The latest publication is a Special Edition on Tanvir Mokammel, whose theme was "30 Years in Documentary Films of Tanvir Mokammel". This February 2023 issue celebrates his legacy and documentary practice in Bangladesh.
Each edition brings together essays, reviews, interviews, and creative writing from alumni and film scholars. It serves as a document of the BFI community's engagement with world cinema and as an archive of Bangladeshi film culture.
A day of joy, cricket, raffle draws, and memorable moments with our founding director Tanvir Mokammel and fellow alumni.
If you are a graduate of any BFI batch, you are eligible to join the Alumni Association. Connect with fellow alumni, attend exclusive events, and contribute to Bangladesh's film culture.
To apply for membership, inquire about events, or connect with the BFIAA committee, fill out the form below or reach us through the Bangladesh Film Institute.
Please complete the official Google Form to apply for BFIAA membership.
* To become a member of BFIAA, you must have completed a BFI course and received a certificate.