Md. Billal Hossain
Twelve emerging directors and artists from twelve different countries have been selected to receive the prestigious Fellowship Award under the Moving Narratives category, supported by the Prince Claus Fund in the Netherlands. Among them is Bangladeshi filmmaker Edit Dewan, who has been awarded the grant to support the production of his next film.
Speaking about the recognition, Dewan said, “This award will be a great source of inspiration in my journey as a filmmaker.”
Each year, the Prince Claus Fund supports young artists and cultural practitioners from around the world to develop their creative work. The fund can be used for film production, artistic research, or other development projects as chosen by the recipient.
Describing the application process, Edit Dewan noted, “First, one must submit a project following specific guidelines. The organization selects promising artists based on their portfolio. I’m currently working on the project I submitted, but I also have the flexibility to shift to another project if I wish. That’s how the process works.”
This year’s grant recipients come from Egypt, Malaysia, Brazil, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, South Africa, and Bangladesh. The twelve selected artists will collectively receive €120,000 in funding.
“I see a film director as an artist,” Dewan said. “This is a significant opportunity for independent filmmakers. For those of us working outside the mainstream, this kind of support is essential to bring our visions to life. It’s an important step forward.”
According to the Prince Claus Fund website, Edit Dewan is a Bangladeshi filmmaker and curator, as well as the co-founder and director of a film festival. Through his work, he aims to portray the richness of Bangladeshi culture on screen.
Last year, he received a Curatorial Intensive scholarship, following an earlier Seed Award from the Prince Claus Fund. Dewan has directed five short films, with his latest—Not Only Ants’ Story—earning critical acclaim. He studied film at Jadavpur University in India.
