Bangladesh Film Certification Board changes now reset how films are certified for public release.
The government reconstituted the Bangladesh Film Certification Board through a gazette notice dated January 14, 2026. The board took effect immediately, according to reporting. ([The Daily Star][1])
What changed, and when
The Daily Star reported on January 17, 2026 that the Bangladesh Film Certification Board was reconstituted via a gazette notification published on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s website on January 14. The report said the new body is effective immediately. ([The Daily Star][1])
The same report said the prior board was cancelled in the same notice. It described this as a standard administrative cycle, citing Md Moinuddin, a deputy director at the Bangladesh Film Certification Board. ([The Daily Star][1])
Another outlet, TOB News, also reported the January 14 gazette and immediate effect. It said the previous board was dissolved in the same notification. ([Daily Times Of Bangladesh][2])
Who sits on the Bangladesh Film Certification Board
The reconstituted Bangladesh Film Certification Board is chaired by the Senior Secretary or Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The Daily Star reported this structure as being formed under section 3(1) of the Bangladesh Film Certification Act, 2023. ([The Daily Star][1])
The membership blends government and industry seats. Reported government-linked members include:
Additional Secretary (Film) at the ministry.
Representatives from the Law and Justice Division.
A representative from the Press Wing of the Chief Adviser’s Office.
A representative from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Managing Director of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation.
The Daily Star also reported association-linked representation, including figures from producers and distributors, directors, artistes, and cinema hall owners’ groups. ([The Daily Star][1])
Named industry professionals reported as members include film editor Iqbal Ehsanul Kabir, director Khijir Hayat Khan, actress Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, and director Tasmiah Afrin Mou. The vice-chairman of the board is also listed. ([The Daily Star][1])
Why the governance reset matters
Bangladesh Film Certification Board decisions sit at the center of a film’s release pipeline. Certification outcomes shape theatrical bookings, marketing spend, and revenue timing. They also influence whether distributors will take on risk.
For co-productions and streamers, the Bangladesh Film Certification Board can affect delivery schedules and contractual milestones. It can also change the practical “content risk” profile that insurers and investors price in.
This is why board composition matters. Even small shifts in who votes, and what standards they apply, can change what projects get financed.
The bigger context: from censoring to certifying
The Bangladesh Film Certification Board was positioned as a modernization step in 2024 coverage. Jagonews24 reported in September 2024 that the government formed a 15-member certification body under the Bangladesh Film Certification Act, 2023. It also noted the act’s gazette publication date as November 13, 2023. ([Jagonews24][3])
Khaborer Kagoj described the conceptual shift in plain terms. A censor board could demand cuts or block releases. A certification board focuses on classifying suitability for audiences, including age-based ratings. ([Khaborer Kagoj][4])
That policy intent has commercial effects. Age ratings can widen audiences for some titles. They can also constrain screenings for adult-only films.
Ongoing debates around rules and discretion
The Daily Star reported in November 2024 that the Bangladesh Film Certification Board faced early criticism over unclear guidelines. It cited concerns that draft guidelines were not shared widely, even within the board. ([The Daily Star][5])
That report also captured industry anxiety about discretion. Director Khijir Hayat Khan argued that high government representation could limit impartiality. He also criticized parts of the 2023 act as restrictive, including a provision described as allowing rejection on subjective grounds. ([The Daily Star][5])
These concerns matter for investment math. When standards feel uncertain, producers often pre-censor to avoid delays. That can narrow creative choices before a project even reaches the Bangladesh Film Certification Board.
What to watch next
The reconstituted Bangladesh Film Certification Board is now the active gatekeeper. The market will watch three things closely.
Speed: whether certification timelines improve in practice.
Consistency: whether decisions align with clear, published standards.
Transparency: whether guidelines and appeal paths are communicated clearly.
If the board is predictable, it can reduce release risk. If it is opaque, it can raise financing costs across the sector.