At the recent Kolkata Hottomela Short Film Festival, the Bangladeshi short film 'Shunyata' earned recognition in the Best Emotional Content and Acting category. Penned by Asif Md Nazrul and directed by Hanif Palowan, the film boasts a cast including Moin Ahmed, Viba, Apan, Prahar Sarkar, SK Chandan, Rahat, and A Haq, with production by Angikar Multimedia.

The festival, which featured films from 20 different countries, showcased a diverse array of content, including music videos, feature films, documentaries, travel shows, and fiction films. Among the selected entries were two films from Bangladesh: 'Shunyata' and Pathik Shahidul’s 'Swarupkotha.'

The awards ceremony, held at the conclusion of the two-day event, saw crests and certificates distributed to participants. Esteemed actress Shrimati Romi Choudhury and film researcher Professor Sri Sumanto Bandyopadhyay presented the awards. This year's festival paid tribute to the pioneering master filmmaker Sri Bimal Roy.

Media activist, playwright, and producer Asif Md Nazrul, who expressed his gratitude to the Hottomela organizers and his theater troupe Angikar Natyadal, shared insights into his filmmaking journey. He mentioned having independently produced two full-length films on a tight budget, with 'Shunyata' being the second one. The film, lasting 6.30 minutes, centers around an emotional narrative, featuring theater artists in all roles.

Reflecting on the award, Asif spoke about the positive impact on participants' confidence and interest. He expressed a desire to continue creating short films with emotional content in the future if time allows.