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5th West Meets East (WME) Screenplay Lab 2027:

The 25th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) will be held in Dhaka from 09 to 17 January 2027 organized by Rainbow Film Society. The general theme of the festival is Better Film, Better Audience and Better Society. During the 25th DIFF, West Meets East (WME) Screenplay Lab returns for its 5th edition, taking place from January 12–15, 2027.

We are pleased to announce that submissions are now open to all Asian countries. This expansion reflects DIFF’s ongoing commitment to supporting emerging filmmakers and creating a stronger, more connected platform for Asian storytellers.

This is a unique opportunity to develop your project, gain international exposure, and connect with industry professionals across a wider global network.

About the Lab

From all submitted projects, 10 proposals will be selected for an exclusive mentorship program.

Over four intensive days:

  • Participants will refine their screenplays through guided workshops
  • Receive one-on-one mentorship from experienced industry professionals
  • Develop their projects in a collaborative and creative environment

On the final day, participants will pitch their projects at FilmHaat, the festival’s official marketplace, in front of:

  • Producers
  • Distributors
  • Investors
  • OTT platforms

Awards

Following the pitch session, a jury panel will select the top 3 projects, which will receive:

  • 1st Prize: BDT 5,00,000
  • 2nd Prize: BDT 3,00,000
  • 3rd Prize: BDT 2,00,000

These awards aim to provide financial support to help bring selected projects to life.

Submission Requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials:

  • Logline (Max 50 words)
  • Synopsis (Max 400 words)
  • Director’s Statement (Max 400 words)
  • Treatment (Max 2000 words)
  • Director’s Profile (Max 250 words)
  • Portfolio with necessary access (Google Drive / Vimeo / YouTube / Personal Website)

Selected directors will be given 2 months to develop and submit the full screenplay: September 1 October 31, 2026

Entry Rules

  1. The project must be an original story. Adaptations are not accepted.
  2. Use of AI for writing, idea generation, or direct translation is strictly prohibited.
  3. By submitting, you confirm that you are able to physically attend the lab in Bangladesh (Jan 12–15, 2027) at your own travel expense. N.B: The Lab will provide local hospitality and accommodation (food & hotel) during the program.
  4. The director must be a citizen of an Asian country (by birth).
  5. The project must be a feature-length fiction film.
  6. The director’s presence is mandatory during the lab. N.B: Producers/writers may attend but are not mandatory.
  7. The applicant must be fluent in English.

Timeline

  • Submission Opens: April 30, 2026
  • Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026
  • Screenplay Development Period (Selected Projects):

September 1 – October 31, 2026

  • Lab Dates: January 12–15, 2027

The WME Screenplay Lab continues to serve as a vital platform for Asian filmmakers to:

  • Develop their storytelling skills
  • Build meaningful industry connections over the world
  • Transform ideas into powerful cinematic works

We strongly encourage early submissions to avoid last-minute issues.

We look forward to discovering the next wave of visionary filmmakers across Asia.

4th WME Meet The jury

4th WME Meet The Mentor

Co-Conveners

Aka Reza Ghalib

Aka Reza Ghalib is a filmmaker by choice, TV program maker by profession, and computer scientist by training, Aka Reza Ghalib essentially considers himself a film activist. His first feature-length film, “Dangling by a String”, participated in a number of international festivals. His next film, a short fiction “Headless”, won an award as Best Human Rights Film at an international film festival. An avid reader he also teaches filmmaking, at different universities, which he considers a part of his activism.

His similar activities include working as an Advisor to a UNICEF Project titled “Enhancing Child Participation through One Minute Junior Video”. He also acts as a mentor for the project “Challenging Visual Depiction of Women and Sexual Violence in Southasia” spanning four South Asian countries and funded by the Southasia Trust based in Kathmandu, Nepal. He was a Jury Member for the Liberation Docfest Bangladesh.

Sadia Khalid Reeti

Sadia Khalid Reeti studied Screenwriting at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Currently the Showtime Editor of Dhaka Tribune, Sadia served as a jury member at international film festivals in Italy, India, England, Iran, Nepal, France, Russia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. She served as a FIPRESCI jury at Cannes, Kerala, Bengaluru and Dhaka. She is the first international voter for the Golden Globe Awards from Bangladesh. She attended mentorship programs like Berlinale Talents, Film Independent, Locarno Open Doors and British Council’s Charles Wallace Fellowship. Co-convener of West-Meets-East Screenplay Lab and Film Haat, she also teaches screenwriting at different universities.