NSU MCJ Hosts Film & Cultural Production Masterclass. North South University’s (NSU) Department of Media, Communication, and Journalism (MCJ) organised a dynamic two-day event titled “Masterclass on Film and Cultural Production,” bringing together acclaimed filmmakers, faculty, and students to explore cinema, the history of partition, and creative expression last week. Held on the university campus, the event served as a vibrant platform for academic discourse, artistic engagement, and showcasing student talent.
The inauguration day set a profound tone for the event with a special screening of the critically acclaimed film Chitra Nodir Paare, directed by Ekushey Padak laureate filmmaker Tanvir Mokammel. Following the screening, Mokammel led an insightful masterclass focusing on the historical depiction and cultural memory of the Partition in Bangladeshi cinema. The session concluded with a lively, interactive question-and-answer exchange, in which both students and faculty members engaged deeply with the veteran director on storytelling techniques, historical context, and the evolution of national cinema. During the discussion, Mokammel said, “Young aspiring filmmakers should never self-censor their creative vision. True engagement happens when you trust the organic process of storytelling to shape a narrative that resonates genuinely with your audience.”
Building on the momentum of the opening day, the program’s second day featured the screening of The University of Chankharpul, directed by Akash Haque. Attendees were treated to an exclusive Q&A session with the cast and crew, offering a behind-the-scenes look at independent filmmaking in Bangladesh. The film’s protagonist, NSU alumnus Devodyuti Aich, reminisced about his student journey on campus and shared valuable insights with aspiring filmmakers in the audience. The afternoon highlights also included a showcase of student-produced short films celebrating the department’s emerging creative voices.
The prestigious gathering was graced by distinguished leadership from North South University, including Vice Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, who served as the chief guest. Joining him in supporting the initiative were Dr. Md. Rizwanul Islam, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), and Dr. Md. Harisur Rahman, Chair of the MCJ Department.
Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, in his remarks, said, “NSU will always be a home for our students, dedicated to fostering their passion and supporting their creative rigour every step of the way.”
While commending the organisers for creating an invaluable bridge between academic study and practical media production, Dr. Md. Rizwanul Islam said, “We hope to see our MCJ students take their creative journeys onto local and global platforms, bringing their artistic vision to broader audiences around the world.”
Reaffirming the Department of MCJ’s commitment to nurturing creative expression and critical cultural discourse among its students, Dr. Md. Harisur Rahman said, “We plan to continue hosting gatherings like these to create a thriving space where our students can connect with industry leaders, showcase their work, and draw inspiration for their creative journeys.”
The two-day event culminated in a colourful cultural showcase, beautifully organised by the dedicated students of the MCJ department.