Shah Newaz Khan Cju's short film ‘Not a Fiction’ has earned its second Oscar-qualifying selection at the 19th Tasveer Film Festival and Market 2024. The event will take place from October 15-20 in Seattle, Washington, featuring 110 films from 11 countries. The film will make its Seattle premiere at SIFF Cinema Uptown on October 18, competing for the Tasveer Audience Choice and Jury Award, which is an Oscar-qualifying category.
‘Not a Fiction’ is based on the topic of extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh and is filmed in a unique one-shot format. Director Shah Newaz Khan Cju shared the challenges he faced in making the film, especially due to its sensitive subject. He mentioned that he refrained from screening the film in Bangladesh out of fear of government backlash.
Tasveer is the only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival in the world, and its 2024 edition will launch the Tasveer Film Market (TFM), the first global film market for South Asian filmmakers in North America. This initiative will provide a platform for co-productions, film fund pitches, and industry discussions.
The film's journey began with its first Oscar-qualifying selection at the Cinequest Film Festival in Silicon Valley earlier this year. It also premiered at the Hamilton International Film Festival in Canada and had screenings at festivals in Turkey and Moldova.
The film's co-producer, Sadia Khalid Reeti, collaborated with Cju to bring this powerful story to life. The cast includes Udoyon Rajib, Naymul Alam Mishu, and others, while sound design, editing, and production teams played key roles in its success. ‘Not a Fiction’ is also featured on the well-known OTT platform MUBI.
