Chobi Mela IX International Festival of Photography, Bangladesh 3 – 16 February 2017 Press Release January 30, 2017 | Dhaka, Bangladesh The ninth edition of Chobi Mela, the most prestigious photography festival in Asia launches on 3 February 2017. The festival will run till 16th February, 2017. ​ ​ ​ ​ The international festival of photography is put together biannually by Drik Picture Library Ltd. and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute. Since its inception in 2000, Chobi Mela has been the most significant photography event in Asia and the first of a regular biennale. The theme for Chobi Mela IX is ‘Transition’. Curated by ASM Rezaur Rahman, ​ ​ ​ ​ Mahbubur Rahman, Munem Wasif, Tanzim Wahab along with guest curators ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Alexander Supartono, Salauddin Ahmed and festival director Shahidul Alam, the ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ninth edition of the festival is more compact, with all venues situated in South Dhaka. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is the main venue along with venues in Old Dhaka. Pathshala South Asian Media Institute is the educational venue where workshops, portfolio reviews and some of the artist talks are held. The festival features over 30 exhibitions with work from 27 artists spanning 16 countries. Among them are are Kanu’s Gandhi, historic photographs of Mahatma Gandhi by his grand-nephew, The ​ ​ ​ ​ Poet with The Camera by Bangladesh’s master portraitist Nasir Ali Mamun, Native ​ ​ ​ ​ Women of South India: Manners and Customs (2000-2004) by the Indian political ​ satirist Pushpamala N., United Red Army, an abstract film unravelling a historic ​ ​ ​ ​ hijacking by Naeem Mohaiemen, and Open Wound the epic documentation of ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Chechen resistance by Stanley Greene. ​ ​ ​ ​ Chobi Mela IX has commissioned ten Bangladeshi artists as Chobi Mela Fellows to produce site-specific artwork for the festival. To investigate the theme ‘Transition’, ​ ​ artists from different backgrounds of painting, drawing, animation, sculpture, photography, video, sound and installation have have stretched the medium physically and conceptually. Through this novel initiative, Chobi Mela aims to support new media artists of Bangladesh to develop independent projects with freedom rarely provided in formal art events. Chobi Mela IX continues its tradition of recognising individuals who have dedicated their lives to the growth of Bangladesh Photography. We are honored to announce that the Chobi Mela IX Lifetime Achievement Award will be awarded to Nasir Ali ​ ​ ​ Mamun and Sayeeda Khanom. Nasir Ali Mamun’s passion for portraiture has given ​ ​ ​ us engaging, thought-provoking images of writers, poets, musicians and other artists, while, while Sayeeda Khanom continues to be a torchbearer for women in the field of photojournalism, which men have long tried to monopolise. The festival hosts workshops by photo practitioners from all around the world. In this edition, workshops held held by Boris Eldagsen, Donald Weber and Rishi Singhal ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ provide participants with invaluable training and exposure. The Photobook ​ Masterclass, a bookmaking workshop by Markus Schaden and Frederic Lezmi ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ successfully culminated on January 18 at Pathshala South Asian Media Institute with participants making their own photobooks. Working Internationally: Strategies and ​ Methodologies, a workshop by Shahidul Alam, Shafiqul Alam and Abir Abdullah was ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ conducted for reporters and photojournalist on January 19. Chobi Mela IX also brings an exciting list of events. Artists’ talks, panel discussions and curated slideshows are organised around the theme ‘Transition’. The panel ​ ​ discussion “Challenges of working as a freelance photojournalist” by Shahidul Alam, ​ ​ ​ ​ Tahmina Rahman and moderated by Mary O’ Shea is a highlight for young and ​ ​ ​ upcoming freelance photojournalists. Ensuring access for the general public has always been an important part of the festival and mobile exhibitions on riksha vans have become its trademark. The mobile exhibition will travel all over Dhaka city including remote locations. The festival is free and open to the public. To know more about the festival, please visit our website, www.chobimela.org ​ For further information please contact: Munira Morshed Munni In-charge, Press & Media Chobi Mela IX Phone: + 8801711984815 Email: [email protected] , [email protected] ​ ​ ​ Surobi Protyoee Coordinator, Press & Media Chobi Mela IX Phone: +88001912160150 Email: [email protected] , [email protected] ​ ​ ​ Links: http://www.chobimela.org/ https://www.facebook.com/chobimelafestival/ https://www.instagram.com/chobimela/ https://twitter.com/chobimela #chobimela .