November 4, 2002

We have invited you all here for a very special occasion, of historic importance for Bangladesh cinema and Bangladesh as a nation. Every year, a select number of countries have the opportunity to submit the best film to represent their nation in the competition for the Best Foreign Language Film of the Academy Awards. This year, for the first time, a nomination has been solicited from Bangladesh. We, as representatives of Bangladesh motion picture arts and industry, convened a special committee in this regard, and have decided to nominate "Matir Moina" directed by Tareque Masud and produced by Catherine Masud as the most outstanding picture of the past year. This selection has been made on the basis of the artistic merit and technical quality of the film and the overwhelming response the film has received from local audiences. In addition, it has been nominated for the honor and recognition the film has brought to Bangladesh, having received the International Critics' Prize at Cannes 2002, the Best Screenplay Award at the Marrakesh Film Festival (Morocco), and representation at numerous other leading international film festivals. It has also been successfully released in commercial venues all over France to wide acclaim from audiences and film critics, and upcoming releases are already confirmed for Italy, Canada, the UK and other countries. As per Academy regulations, "Matir Moina" has met the primary requirement of a minimum 7-day consecutive run at a commercial cinema hall in its country of origin between November 1, 2001 and October 31, 2002, through its release at Modhumita Cinema Hall.

Although the selection of the film as a finalist for the Academy Awards is a far off dream, the mere nomination of the film from Bangladesh is a great achievement of international importance. We are proud to stand behind this film and share with you our great hope in a bright future for Bangladesh cinema. It is our expectation and hope that from this time on, every year Bangladesh will be able to nominate its best film of the year for consideration in the Academy Awards.

I hereby introduce to you the members of the Special Committee for the Selection of the Best Film from Bangladesh for the Academy Awards: Mr. Shahidul Islam Khokon, President, Bangladesh Film Directors' Association, Mr. Saiful Islam Chowdhury, President, Bangladesh Motion Picture Exhibitors' Assocation, Professor Abdus Selim, Vice President, International Film Critics' Association, Mr. Akhand Sanwar Morshed, Former General Secretary, Bangladesh Film Producers' and Distributors' Association, Mr. Morshedul Islam, Renowned Film Director, Mr. Mohammed Khashru (Committee Chairman), President, Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies, and myself, Nasiruddin Yousuf Bachchu, President, Shammilito Sanskritik Jote.

Nasiruddin Yousuf Bachchu
Member Secretary, Special Committee for the Selection of the Best Film from Bangladesh for the Academy Awards