‘Oggatonama’, a highly-acclaimed film directed by actor-director Tauquir Ahmed, has been selected from Bangladesh to participate in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 89th Academy Awards to be held in 2017. Under the initiative of Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies (BFFS), among the four films, Tauquir Ahmed’s ‘Oggatonama’ has been selected. Three other films are ‘Krishnapakkha’ directed by Meher Afroz Shaon, ‘Darpan Bisarjan’ directed by Sumon Dhar and Rubaiyat Hossain’s ‘Under Construction’. Apart from the film ‘Under Construction’ which has been produced by Khona Talkies, three other films have been produced under the banner of Impress Telefilm.
Like every year, the Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies (BFFS) took the initiative to select a Bangladeshi film, which will go on to the 89th Academy Awards to compete in the Foreign Language Film category. In this connection, a nine-member committee had been formed and the submission deadline was September 21.
To provide further details, a press conference was held yesterday at Hotel La Vinci in the capital’s Karwan Bazar area. Chairman of Oscar Bangladesh Committee Habibur Rahman Khan, ex president of BFFS, Delowar Jahan Jhantu, president of Bangladesh Film Directors Association, Abu Musa Debu; president, Bangladesh Film Editor’s Guild and independent filmmaker and writer Shamim Akhtar were present during the press conference.
 During the press conference, they stated that films were selected based on content, form, quality, specifications so that they can be sent to the prestigious Oscars. Delwar Jahan Jhantu said, “There are many Bangladeshi good quality films. However, just because a film receives loud ovations from the viewers in the cinemas or applause does not necessarily mean that it is guaranteed to go to the Oscars. There are many factors that are taken into consideration. There are many strict specifications that need to be adhered to. The selection is made very carefully.”
The committee members also stated that submission of films that may be selected to go to the Oscars are not just limited to accomplished or experienced directors only. Even new, talented fresh filmmakers also have that opportunity.
Shamim Akhtar said, “The standard is pivotal and has to be emphasized on. Since it will be going to the Oscars, crucial attention to details is a must. The quality, content, form, specifications, all have to fall in the requirements. Since being selected for the Oscars involves a meticulous process, these simply must be followed.”
In addition to the aforementioned committee members, other members among the nine-selected are Professor Abdus Selim, president of BFFS, Saiful Islam Chowdhury, president, Bangladesh Motion Pictures Exhibitors Association, Shakib Khan, actor and president of Bangladesh Film Artist Association, Reza Latif, president of Bangladesh Cinematographic Society and actress Arifa Zaman Mousumi.
‘Oggatonama’ stars Mosharraf Karim  Nipun, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Abul Hayat, Shatabdi Wadud, Shahed Sarif Khan and Fazlur Rahman Babu. Besides directing the film, Tauquir Ahmed has the credit to write story, screenplay and dialogue for the film. ‘Oggatonama’ saw its world premiere at Marche du Film, the business counterpart of the 69 Cannes Film Festival on May 17.