Renowned Bangladeshi photographer, writer, teacher, and social activist Shahidul Alam is set to be a part of the 17th International Documentary Film Festival of Iran, known as "Cinema Verite." The event, scheduled to take place from December 18th to 23rd, will feature Alam as one of the workshop instructors, focusing on documentary photography.

According to the Public Relations Department of the Center for the Expansion of Documentary, Experimental, and Animated Cinema, Shahidul Alam, born in 1955, brings over four decades of experience in photography to the festival. His impactful photographs have been published in major global media outlets. In 1998, Alam founded the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute in Dhaka, which has since provided training to hundreds of photographers. Additionally, he established the Chobi Mela International Photography Festival in 1999.

In recognition of his contributions, Shahidul Alam was honored with the Shilpakala Padak, a prestigious award from the President of Bangladesh, in 2014. Furthermore, in 2018, he received the Humanitarian Award from the Lucie Photography Award. Alam was also named one of Time magazine's "People of the Year" in 2018.

Alam, currently a professor at RMIT University and Sunderland University, has delivered lectures at esteemed institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, and Cambridge. His works have been featured in prominent publications worldwide.

The accomplished photographer has served as a jury member for the World Press Photo International Contest. His book, "My Journey as a Witness," was hailed by Life magazine as the most significant book ever written by a photographer. His latest work, "The Tide Will Turn," was listed among the best art books of 2020 by The New York Times.

The 17th Cinema Verite International Documentary Film Festival, under the directorship of Mohammad Hamidi Moghadam, will unfold from December 18th to 23rd at Charsou Cineplex.

Shahidul Alam's participation in the festival adds a global perspective to the event, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage with the rich and diverse experiences of this influential figure in the world of photography and documentary.