Govt forms film certification board

The government has officially formed the Bangladesh Film Certification Board under the Bangladesh Film Certificate Act, 2023, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Sunday (September 22). 

The 15-member board will be chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, with the Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Film Censor Board serving as the member secretary.

Other key members on the board include: Secretary, Department of Law and Justice, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Additional Secretary (Films), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, a representative of the rank of Joint Secretary or above from the Department of Public Security, Managing Director of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation, President of Bangladesh Film Directors Association, Independent University professor and filmmaker Dr Zakir Hossain Raju, film producer and director Rafiqul Anwar Russell, film producer, director, distributor, and writer Zahid Hossain, film editor Iqbal Ehsanul Kabir, film director Khizir Hayat Khan, film actress Naushaba Ahmed, and film director Tasmia Afrin Mau.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam stated on September 18 that the current film certification law will be revised through consultations with stakeholders.

The 1963 Censorship of Films Act was repealed, and the Bangladesh Film Certification Act was published in the gazette on November 13 of last year. This new law mandates the establishment of a certification board rather than a censor board.

Recently, the government restructured the existing censor board, sparking concerns among filmmakers and industry organisations who questioned the decision. The Ministry clarified last Tuesday that the Bangladesh Film Certification Act is not yet finalised, so the current censor board has been temporarily reorganised to maintain operations until the new certification board is fully functional.