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The UIU Media Fest commenced with an introduction by Professor Mario Hirstein, who set the stage and outlined the segments to follow. This was followed by speeches from the department head, Dr Sheikh Shafiul Islam, the registrar, Dr Md. Zulfiqur Rahman, and the Vice Chancellor, Md. Abul Kashem Mia.
The speakers reflected on the power of media to reshape historical and political narratives, the decline of attention spans, the role of ethical journalism in today’s digital landscape, and the importance of harnessing AI within each field of study.
Dr Md. Zulfiqur Rahman candidly shared his struggles with shrinking attention spans, recalling how devices replaced his once voracious reading habits. He urged students to return to books and strengthen their critical thinking skills. The opening session concluded with a documentary on the Department of Media Studies and Journalism, followed by a musical performance capturing student life on campus.
On their way out, university officials visited the photography exhibition, which showcased vibrant snapshots of rural and urban life. Rivers, fields, and cityscapes captured through the eyes of students.
The fest then shifted gears with the 'Media Quiz', hosted by Mario Hirstein, where groups of three to five students competed in a lively contest. Participants debated questions such as “Who has the most followers on Instagram?” and “What is the most-watched series on Netflix?”
They also identified films from still frames, ranging from global classics to Bangladeshi and Bollywood hits, as well as animated works from East and West. Questions were divided into categories: Social Media, Films, Games, and Streaming, ensuring every teammate had a chance to contribute. At the end of the quiz, answers were revealed, each of which sparked groans and cheers that filled the room.
After a tea break, the 'Content Projection' segment began, hosted by lecturer Umme Ammara. It featured student-produced documentaries and short narratives. The documentaries explored issues such as indigenous populations, flooding, and rural struggles, while the narratives examined themes of love, immortality, mental health, the looming presence of microplastics, and more.
One of the most anticipated sessions, 'Star Talk', featured actress Mehazabien Chowdhury and filmmaker Maksud Hossain, followed by content creator Kaarena Kaiser and filmmaker Shankha Dasgupta. Lecturer Kazi Kamrun Nahar interviewed the first pair. Mehazabien shared childhood memories of how she dreamt of being famous one day. Maksud Hasan, director of 'Saba', which is releasing on September 26th, briefly discussed the film's premise. He'd been working on the idea for six years.
Lecturer Sumia Zahid conducted the interview with the second pair. Kaiser reflected on the evolution of content creation in Bangladesh, noting that while the accessibility of phones has empowered many, it has also encouraged clickbait-driven and voyeuristic trends in the guise of journalism. She called for a renewed emphasis on ethics and quality. Dasgupta, emphasising intent over technical perfection, advised aspiring filmmakers to remain mindful of political correctness and clarity of purpose in their narratives.
Ms Sumia Zahid hosted another session of Star Talk featuring two distinguished guests: Mr Shariful Islam Khan, Head of News at News 24, and Mr Sariful Islam, Head of Influencing, Communication, Advocacy and Media at Oxfam in Bangladesh. Both speakers underscored the importance of enhancing students’ technological knowledge to strengthen their career prospects in the evolving media landscape.
The MSJ faculty honoured all guests on stage before the prize-giving ceremony, where winners and runners-up across categories were celebrated.
The day concluded with a cultural showcase of music, a ramp walk, and dance by MSJ students—an energetic finale to a fest that embodied creativity, dialogue, and community.