Ashraf Shishir
Filmmaker, Writer, and Director in Dhaka Division, Bangladesh
Ashraf Shishir
Filmmaker, Scriptwriter, Human Rights Advocate, and Juror at 48+ International Film Festivals, including the Emmy® Awards
Md Ashraful Alam, widely known as Ashraf Shishir, is an acclaimed filmmaker, scriptwriter, and human rights advocate. With a career spanning over a decade, he has served as a jury member in 48+ international film festivals, including the prestigious International Emmy® Awards. His dedication to storytelling and advocacy has made him a prominent figure in global cinema.
Ashraf is best known for pioneering the "Free Length Film" style, which challenges conventional runtime norms. His debut feature film, THE INNOCENCE(Amra Ekta Cinema Banabo), holds the world record as the longest fiction feature, with a runtime exceeding 21 hours. This groundbreaking project, completed over a decade with contributions from 4,000 volunteers, exemplifies his commitment to pushing creative boundaries.
His second feature, THE CART(Gaariwala), supported by a government grant, has been selected for over 100 festivals in 33 countries, winning 26 awards. Similarly, THE INNER SOUND(Gopon) has been showcased in 25 international festivals across 18 countries, earning multiple accolades. THE UNSUNG(Judhdhata Chilo Shadhinotar)was screened in renowned festivals, including Cannes.
Ashraf’s portfolio also includes impactful documentaries and social advertisements. His documentary THE CAGE-BIRDwas screened at 16 festivals worldwide, winning international recognition. His social advertisement THE AGED was a finalist at a United Nations event in Geneva and won multiple awards, highlighting his focus on meaningful storytelling.
As a global collaborator, Ashraf contributed to A BILLION TO ONE, an international TV/web series produced by CollabFeature. His upcoming historical feature 570, is set for release in 2025. Other projects include THE LOANEE and THE UNPARALLELED(Adwaita), both in production.
Beyond filmmaking, Ashraf is also an author of books on filmmaking and poetry, reflecting his multifaceted creativity. His work continues to address critical social issues, earning him recognition as a filmmaker who blends art with advocacy.
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