The 24th Dhaka International Film Festival opened as a bright stage for global cinema and a clear invitation for visitors to explore Bangladesh’s film-friendly places, and from the first screening the festival made it easy to imagine walking the lanes, beaches and heritage sites that appear on screen. International and local filmmakers, actors, students and film lovers gathered to view new features, short films and documentaries from many countries, and the festival paired screenings with lively panels, masterclasses and audience talks so people could hear how films are made and why places become part of a story. Organisers worked with local tour guides and cultural groups to suggest film routes and special tours that link movie sites with nearby attractions, which gives visitors a chance to see real locations used in films and learn about the people and traditions behind those scenes. The result is more than a film show: it is a way to make travel plans that follow a film’s trail, visit coastal shots and city alleys, and meet local craftspeople who appear in background scenes. Small hotels, cafes and shops near screening venues report higher foot traffic as festival guests look for meals, crafts and quiet places to talk after shows, and local guides say the festival helps them design short packages that include film viewings, site walks and easy transport. Youth programs that focus on student films and citizen journalism also opened new paths for young visitors to learn, volunteer and join guided walks that show lesser-known neighbourhoods and family-run businesses. City planners and tourism bodies at the festival talked about simple steps to grow film tourism, such as printed film maps, signposted routes, listed photo spots and partnerships between festivals and tour operators, which can make it easy for visitors to move from screenings to nearby sites in a single day. Festival leaders also urged care for heritage spots and support for local communities so film tourism grows with respect and value for residents. Trainers and workshop leaders offered short courses for local guides, hotel staff and vendors about welcoming international guests and sharing film stories in clear, friendly ways. If festival teams keep building links between films and places, and if guides, hotels and craft sellers join the effort, film fans will have more reasons to visit and towns will see steady new income that supports jobs and small business. The festival ends with a promise that when cinema and travel meet, both arts and local economies can grow in simple, lasting ways that let visitors leave with memories and communities gain steady benefits. Local leaders hope the festival will inspire year-round visits and new small tours that celebrate film history and local stories.
