Submit Your Project
The West Meets East Screenplay Lab is back for its 4th edition, taking place online from January 11-14, 2026, during the 24th Dhaka International Film Festival. This year marks a significant expansion, as we are now accepting submissions from all Asian countries, moving beyond our previous focus on South Asian filmmakers. This is a major step forward in our mission to support emerging directors across the continent and provide a much bigger platform for Asian storytellers. By broadening our reach, we are creating an unparalleled opportunity for filmmakers to gain exposure on a global stage and connect with industry professionals from a wider network.

From the submitted projects, the top 10 proposals will be selected for an exclusive mentorship program. Over four days, these participants will engage in an intensive workshop designed to refine their screenplays and develop their projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. Each participant will work closely with a dedicated mentor for the first three days, receiving personalized feedback and advice. On the final day, the participants will pitch their projects through >online at FilmHaat, the festival’s marketplace, where producers, distributors, investors, and OTT platforms will be present. Following the pitches, a jury panel will announce the top 3 projects, which will receive cash prizes:

  • 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 these screenplays to life. Submissions open on April 1, 2025. To apply, directors must submit the following materials with some more additional information:

  • Logline (Maximum 50 words)
  • Synopsis (Maximum 400 words)
  • Director’s Statement (Maximum 400 words)
  • Treatment (Maximum 2000 words)
  • Director’s Profile
Once a proposal is selected, the director will be given 2-3 months to develop and submit the full screenplay. The West Meets East Screenplay Lab continues to serve as a vital platform for Asian filmmakers to hone their craft, connect with industry professionals, and bring their creative visions to life. With this expansion, we aim to foster a more diverse and dynamic storytelling landscape across Asia. We look forward to receiving your submissions and discovering the next wave of visionary filmmakers!

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.