culture
Dhaka's Film Industry Launches New Platforms for Emerging Filmmakers
From multiplexes in Bashundhara City to the national festival stage, the city's film ecosystem offers fresh platforms for rising voices.
How we reported this
Dhaka’s film and cinema culture is gaining a sharper edge, with venues like Star Cineplex, Blockbuster Cinemas, and Balaka Cine World providing stages where emerging talent can find audiences. As the city’s digital cinema ecosystem expands, the next wave of filmmakers and performers is getting more opportunities to be seen, both on screen and through events like the Dhaka International Film Festival.
Why now? The shift toward modern multiplexes, most air-conditioned and offering online booking, has widened access for audiences, creating a demand for fresh content. At the same time, the 24th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF), running from January 10 to 18, 2026, will showcase work from new directors and actors at landmark venues such as Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and the National Museum Auditorium. This dual push, commercial and festival, is giving emerging talent real platforms to reach Dhaka’s filmgoers.
Multiplexes and the New Talent Pipeline
Major theatres like Star Cineplex, with halls at Bashundhara City, Shimanto Shomvar, and SKS Tower, and Blockbuster Cinemas at Jamuna Future Park, are drawing large, diverse audiences. According to several local guides, Blockbuster Cinemas and Star Cineplex (Bashundhara City) are the two largest cineplexes in Bangladesh, equipped with the latest screening technology. For emerging filmmakers, getting a slot on these screens signals a step up in visibility and production quality. Balaka Cine World in New Market and Shyamoli Cinema on Mirpur Road remain important venues for alternative fare, though Balaka does not offer online booking.
Festival Platform: DIFF 2026
The 24th Dhaka International Film Festival, a key launchpad for rising talent, will screen films at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and the National Museum Auditorium over nine days in January 2026. The festival traditionally highlights both local and international works, offering emerging directors a chance for critical exposure. For new voices in Dhaka’s film scene, DIFF is a direct line to audiences and industry gatekeepers, often leading to wider distribution deals or festival circuit invitations.
Practical Advice for Filmgoers
Standard showtimes across Dhaka’s multiplexes run at 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 6:00pm, and 9:00pm. Balaka Cine World offers additional slots at 10:15am and 9:30pm. Most major venues (except Balaka) allow online ticket booking, making it easier to catch a screening. For those wanting to discover new talent, keeping an eye on DIFF’s schedule in early 2026 is a good bet. Meanwhile, the growing multiplex culture means emerging Bangladeshi filmmakers have more outlets than ever to present their work to a city ready for the next wave.