Dhaka Doclab
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| Dhaka DocLab ঢাকা ডক ল্যাব | |
|---|---|
 Logo of the Dhaka Doclab | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Documentary film workshop, pitching forum, project market |
| Venue | Liberation War Museum (Dhaka), online/hybrid |
| Location(s) | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Country | Bangladesh |
| Inaugurated | 2017 |
| Organized by | Dhaka Independent Film Network |
| Website | dhakadoclab |
Dhaka DocLab (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is an annual documentary film workshop, project market, and pitching forum held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.[1] Established in 2017, it is organised by the Dhaka Independent Film Network (DIFN).[2] The event provides a platform for documentary filmmakers from South Asia and the Asia-Pacific region to present their projects, receive mentorship, and connect with international producers, broadcasters, and festival representatives.[3] It is widely recognized as one of South Asia's leading documentary co-production markets.[4]
History
Dhaka DocLab was established in 2017 by the Dhaka Independent Film Network (DIFN), a collective of independent filmmakers in Bangladesh.[5] The founding chairman was theater activist and filmmaker Nasiruddin Yousuff, with media executive Tareq Ahmed serving as director.[5] The first edition took place in September 2017 at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka, inaugurated by Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor.[2][6]
The second edition in 2018 featured 15 selected projects from Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.[6] The third edition in 2019 expanded participation to Bhutan and Sri Lanka.[7]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fourth edition (2020) transitioned online.[8] Subsequent editions adopted hybrid or virtual formats, allowing participation across global time zones.[9] The 8th edition in 2024 was dedicated to the memories of student martyrs from the July revolution.[9] The 9th edition in 2025 featured 17 projects from nine countries, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Singapore, and Ukraine.[4]
Programme
The annual programme typically spans six days, combining intensive mentorship workshops, pitching sessions, masterclasses, and one-on-one industry speed meetings.[2][9] Participating projects are generally categorized into:
- Development Category – early-stage creative documentary concepts seeking co-production, research grants, and international mentorship.[9]
- Rough Cut / Work-in-Progress Category – projects in advanced editing stages seeking post-production support, festival premieres, sales agents, and broadcast acquisition.[9]
Mentors and decision-makers participating in the lab include representatives from international platforms such as NHK, DocEdge New Zealand, Sheffield DocFest, Global Film & Media Initiative, and the International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA).[9][10]
Awards
At the conclusion of each edition, competitive awards and production grants are presented:
- IEFTA Award – a €2,000 cash award presented by the International Emerging Film Talent Association.[10] Past recipients include Josh Lomahan (Philippines, 2024) and Kazi Arefin Ahmed for Opekkha (Bangladesh, 2023).[10][11]
- Global Film & Media Initiative Award – a €2,000 grant for regional projects.[12]
- Adhunika Award – a $2,000 grant supporting female-led documentary projects.[12]
- DocEdge New Zealand and DocEdge Kolkata Awards – international festival scholarships and pitching accreditations.[12]
- Dhaka DocLab Best Project Awards – cash prizes awarded for Best Project Bangladesh (supported by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy) and Best Project South Asia (supported by the Cosmos Foundation).[6][12]
Editions
| Edition | Year | Format | Projects | Countries represented | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2017 | In-person | 15 | Bangladesh, India, Nepal | Inaugural edition at Liberation War Museum; inaugurated by Asaduzzaman Noor | [2][5] |
| 2nd | 2018 | In-person | 15 | Bangladesh, India, Nepal | Opening film: The Distant Barking of Dogs by Simon Lereng Wilmont | [2][6] |
| 3rd | 2019 | In-person | 16 | Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka | Opening film: Bridges of Time by Audrius Stonys | [7][13] |
| 4th | 2020 | Online | 25 | South Asia | First virtual edition during the COVID-19 pandemic | [8] |
| 5th | 2021 | Online | 24 | South Asia, Asia-Pacific | Conducted virtually | [8] |
| 7th | 2023 | Virtual / Hybrid | 25 | 7 countries | Closing ceremony held at Bangladesh Film Archive | [12] |
| 8th | 2024 | Hybrid | 19 | 10 countries | Dedicated to student martyrs of the July revolution | [9] |
| 9th | 2025 | Online | 17 | 9 countries | Included participants from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Malaysia, UK, South Korea, Singapore, Ukraine | [4] |
Industry initiatives
Beyond its annual pitching lab, Dhaka DocLab conducts regional filmmaking workshops across divisional cities in Bangladesh.[13]
In collaboration with the British Council, Dhaka DocLab produced the Bangladesh-Cymru Climate Stories project, facilitating four short documentary films on climate change in partnership with the Wales One World Film Festival.[14] In 2026, the organisation partnered with the British Council on a national film policy review led by researcher Dr. Imran Firdaus.[15]
The organization also operates the Dhaka DocImpact Lab (DDIL), an outreach initiative designed to equip South Asian non-fiction storytellers with impact campaign strategies.[16]
See also
- Cinema of Bangladesh
- Dhaka International Film Festival
- Bangladesh International Short and Independent Film Festival
- Bangladesh Short Film Forum
References
- ↑ "Dhaka Doc Lab". ASEF culture360. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Dhaka Doclab begins Aug 31". New Age. 13 March 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "New Stories, Emerging Authors: Showcase of Work in Progress from Bangladesh". Sheffield DocFest. 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Dhaka DocLab's 9th edition concludes". The Asian Age. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "যাত্রা শুরু করল 'ঢাকা ডক ল্যাব'" ['Dhaka Doc Lab' begins its journey]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 6 June 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Dhaka DocLab ends". New Age. 14 March 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Curtain lifts on Dhaka Doclab". New Age. 20 October 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Dhaka Doclab to be held online". New Age. 7 December 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 "Dhaka DocLab 2024: A Successful 8th Edition". Dhaka DocLab. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Winner Announced for the IEFTA/IEFTF Dhaka DocLab €2000 Cash Award 2024". IEFTA. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "IEFTA's €2000 Prize Awarded to Bangladeshi Filmmaker at 2023 Dhaka DocLab online". IEFTA. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 "7th Dhaka DocLab Held on August 2023". Dhaka DocLab. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Dhaka Doclab's third edition begins August 26". New Age. 26 September 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "Dhaka DocLab, British Council showcase 4 climate documentaries". New Age. 3 October 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "British Council to publish landmark Study on Bangladesh's film industry". The Business Standard. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "Dhaka DocImpact Lab starts its journey". New Age. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
External links
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