Short Bio:

Born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Saiful Wadud Helal began his career as a TV program producer in early 2000s. He took up the mode of documentary filmmaking in 2005 with Colour of Faith which had its premier at Montreal World Film Festival that year. His 2011 film Aparajeyo Bangla is a multi-layered narrative on an iconic cultural symbol of Bangladesh (a sculpture at the University of Dhaka premises depicting the Liberation War of Bangladesh). The film went on to win the Best film award at the International Liberation and Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, Dhaka 2012. His last film, Jholmolia – The Sacred Water (2016) is a unique visual journey through an ethnicity full of life and vigor. The film won the Best Documentary Film award at the International Short and Independent Film Festival, Dhaka, Bangladesh 2016. He is currently working on a project titled Beyond All The Colours. The film is about his relationship with his daughter who identifies herself as a queer femme person of color.

Saiful Wadud is also a visiting instructor at Bangladesh Cinema and Television Institute (BCTI).

Filmography:

"BISHWSHER RONG" (2005) Premiered at Montreal world film festival, Canada 2005

"CINEMANIA" (2009) Premiered @ Dhaka International Film Festival, Bangladesh 2010

ANIKA'S HOME (2010) Premiered @ MASALA! MEHENDI! MASTI'S FILMI (South Asian Film Fest, Toronto), Canada 2010

Aparajeyo Bangla (2011) Winner! Best director award at the International Documentary Film Festival, Bangladesh 2012 ( www.facebook.com/AparajeyoBanglaDocumentary )

Bangladesh's Ridoy (2013). Premiered at Montreal world film festival, Canada 2014 ( www.facebook.com/bdridoy )

Jholmolia - The Sacred Water(2016) Winner! Best documentary award at the Dhaka Short & Independent Film Festival, Bangladesh 2016 ( www.facebook.com/jholmolia/ )

Work in progress: Documentary: Beyond All The Colours (2019-2020) Winner! City of Ottawa Creation and Production Fund ( www.facebook.com/BeyondAllTheColours/ )