Samia Zaman

Samia Zaman : Film Director/Producer Samia became active in the vibrant film society movement of Bangladesh in the early eighties. She studied filmmaking and theory in London University and British Film Institute. Samia then trained as a Film Editor in BBC Television in London. She has made a successful career in Radio and Television but has always come back to her lifelong passion - films. Samia's first feature film was'Rani Kuthir Baki Itihash' (105 mins, 35 mm, colour, 2006). It was released in Bangladesh to popular and critical acclaim. Aakash Koto Dure (The Distant Sky; 117 mins, 35 mm, colour, 2014) is Samia's second feature film. Aakash Koto Dure has since been to several Film Festivals in Europe, Asia and Africa including 9th edition of FIFOG, Switzerland. Samia Zaman is active in promoting film in Bangladesh. She is a member of Governing Body of the Bangladesh National Film and Television Institute. She is in the Advisory Committee of the Producers Association of Bangladesh. Samia is a member of the selection committee of the Bangladesh Government Grant to filmmakers (short film). Samia Zaman was a member of the Jury of the 12th and 13th Dhaka International Film Festival in 2012 and 2014 respectively and chaired documentary and Women's films sections. Samia Zaman is the Editor and CEO of a 24hour News Channel - Ekattor, the first High Definition Television station in Bangladesh. Ekattor has a thriving documentary section and produced more the 50 documentaries in last three years some of which has been to international festivals and won awards. She was the main News Anchor of Ekhushey Television (ETV), Bangladesh in 2000-2001. ETV was the first private terrestrial channel of South and South-East Asia, and brought complete change to television production in Bangladesh. Before joining ETV, Samia worked for BBC World Service Radio in London for over 8 years. Samia has also directed and produced numerous Television Dramas, Documentaries and Current affairs shows for her own production house Versa Media. Aakash Koto Dure was Versa Media's first film production. Samia Zaman is currently developing several film projects through Versa Media. Samia Zaman did her Masters in South Asian Studies (Literature, Anthropology and Politics) from The School of Oriental and African Studies, SOAS, London University. She has traveled extensively and lived in UK, US, Switzerland, Thailand, Kenya and Azerbaijan.