The National Film Awards 2019 were conferred upon the recipients at a colourful ceremony held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina distributed the National Film Awards among 33 recipients under 26 categories for the year 2019on Sunday (January 17). She joined the program virtually from her official residence “Ganobhaban”. On behalf of the Prime Minister, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud handed over the awards and certificates to the awardees. The Ministry of Information earlier announced names of the recipients of the National Film Awards 2019 to recognise the contributions of artistes to Bangladesh’s film industry.State Minister for Information Murad Hasan was the special guest.
Information Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud said, "A special fund of Tk 1,000 crore is being set up under the direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to bring back the golden days of film."
From this fund, the cinema halls which have been closed with low interest loans can be reopened. The existing cinema halls can be modernized and new cinema halls can be built with low interest loans up to the upazila level. He added that the fund is going to be launched very soon. After the launch of this fund, not only the golden day of Bangladeshi film, the film industry will rise to a new level, our film will be able to take a place in the world market beyond the borders of the country.
The Information Minister further said that the project of constructing one information complex in each district on the directive of the Prime Minister has been approved a few days ago, through which information centers and Cineplex’s will be constructed in 28 districts initially.
They will play an important role in the development of the film industry. Information Secretary Khwaja Mia gave a welcome speech on the occasion. Legendary actor Masood Parvez (Sohail Rana) and actress Kohinoor Akhter Suchanda received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Actor Sohail Rana said in an interview that Bangabandhu had ordered him to continue working for the film. Sohail Rana thinks that this is his achievement. That is why he dedicated the best award of his life to Bangabandhu.
