Youth Films Spark Dialogue on Climate and Social Issues at the 16th IIUSFF

The 16th International Inter-University Short Film Festival (IIUSFF), supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh and the Royal Norwegian Embassy, concluded at TSC, University of Dhaka on 2 September 2025, with a powerful message: young voices are shaping the narrative for a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Organised by the Dhaka University Film Society since 2007, the festival has become a global platform for university filmmakers to tell stories that matter. This year, nearly 1,500 short films from over 70 countries, including 180 from Bangladesh, reflected urgent themes ranging from climate change and gender equality to cultural identity and social justice.

By listening to these stories, development organisations like UNDP and partners can better understand grassroots realities and turn them into solutions. Ambassador of Norway Mr. Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen echoed this, saying that youth filmmakers are not only telling stories, but also taking responsibility by building resistance against climate change through their art.

The festival also served as a space for dialogue and learning. A special session on independent films and market trends helped young filmmakers connect creativity with sustainability in the industry. The screenings were accompanied by exhibitions of climate-themed artwork, reinforcing how art can inspire awareness and action.

Awards were presented to recognise excellence, with films like Side by Side, The Wave, The Ninth Continent, and Journeyin the Ocean earning accolades. Each winning film carried a strong social or environmental message, demonstrating how youth storytelling can spark real-world change.

UNDP's support for the IIUSFF reflects its commitment to empowering youth as drivers of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By providing platforms where creativity meets advocacy, UNDP helps amplify voices that often go unheard, whether on climate resilience, gender equality, or social protection.

As Apurba Das Shudra, General Secretary of the Film Society, put it: "The future of cinema is brave, beautiful, and bold." For UNDP, that future also means a generation of young changemakers using film to inspire solutions for a fairer, greener world.