Blog: Film festivals

The Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival (DIMFF) is a unique artistic exploration and social entrepreneurship. It is the pioneer in Bangladesh for arranging a film festival where films are exclusively shot on mobile phones. DIMFF is the bridge that connects filmmakers to the world of storytelling by utilizing new mobile technologies. DIMFF started its journey in 2015 and gradually became an outreach program of the Department of Media Studies and Journalism of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. With each passing year, DIMFF’s popularity is increasing, and filmmakers from around the globe are enjoying this new platform to uphold their voices.

The festival promotes ‘New generation, New tools, New communication.’ DIMFF aims to inspire and spark creativity in storytelling from people with limited income or resources and encourage filmmakers to harness their dreams and recognize the immense possibilities to accomplish them. The Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival is for newness, change, and opportunity. This new generation will establish a new form of communication by overcoming race, color, religion, and ideology with their new tools. DIMFF is the platform where language cannot be a bearer while discussing issues. These young minds need the right opportunity and guidance to make this world better.

DIMFF’s lookout towards building youth entrepreneurship skills has helped them achieve 25th rank in the Entrepreneurial Spirit category of WURI 2022. World’s universities with real impact (WURI) is the first global innovative university ranking designed to inspire and value universities’ adaptable and innovative efforts to nurture their workforce that meets industry and society’s demands. Wharton–Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) also recognized DIMFF with the Social Science Silver Award in the Reimagine Education Awards and Conference 2021, otherwise known as the “Oscars of Education.” The Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Awards and Conference is a global competition and conference that encourages educators to spot problems that prevent optimal learning and pedagogical outcomes. DIMFF shares the same mindset: everyone deserves equal opportunity to create a sustainable impact in their community.


1.OPEN DOOR CATEGORY for all

Anyone from any region can submit films shot on a mobile phone/camera. Any duration can be submitted in the Open Door category. Selected films will be screened at Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival, and the best film will get DIMFF Best Film Award.


2.VERTICAL FILM CATEGORY for all

Anyone from any region can submit films shot vertically on a mobile phone/camera. The film must be within 10 minutes for the Vertical Film category. Selected films will be screened at Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival, and the best film will get DIMFF Best Vertical Film Award.


3.SHORT FILM CATEGORY for university students

This category is open to Undergraduate and Graduate students only. Selected films either shot on mobile phone/camera will screen at the festival, and the best film will receive the ‘CinemaScope Best Film’ award. The film must be within 25 minutes for the Short Film category.


4.CITIZEN JOURNALISM CATEGORY for all

Anyone from any region can participate in this category. Documentaries (real-world events) must be shot on a mobile phone and within 10 minutes. Selected documentaries will be screened at the Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival, and the best documentary will win the 'MSJ Best CJ' award.


5.ONE MINUTE CATEGORY for grade 1 to 12 students

Only 1 to 12 grade students can participate in this category. The film must be exactly one minute, including the title and credit line for the One Minute category. Selected films will be screened at Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival, and the best film will get the ULAB Young Film Maker Award.