Probal Rashid’s short film ‘Stage of Survival’ gains international recognition

Bangladeshi filmmaker and documentary photographer Probal Rashid's short film "Stage of Survival"—a moving portrait of the country's travelling circus tradition—has earned significant international recognition. The documentary recently secured second place in the documentary category at the 12th Egeart Short Film Competition in Turkey.

This year's edition of the festival saw participation from 3,111 films representing 100 countries, placing "Stage of Survival" among a competitive global lineup. The film has also been officially selected and screened at several prestigious international events, including the New York Lift-Off Film Festival and the NanoCon International Film Festival (NIFF) in the United States.

"Stage of Survival" offers a rare and intimate look into a performance art form that has been woven into Bangladesh's cultural heritage for nearly 150 years. The documentary captures how generations of children from low-income families grow up within circus troupes, training as full-time performers from an early age—often without access to formal education and with limited pathways beyond the circus life.

Film editor Aashish Kiphayet described the project as both a tribute and a warning. "'Stage of Survival' is a story of strength and hope; on the other hand, it is the story of a traditional art form fading away," he said.

Director Probal Rashid, who spent a decade documenting Bangladesh's circus community, reflected on the film's long journey. "I documented the famed Bulbul Circus until its final show in 2016, but the story continues today with troupes like Rajmoni Circus," he said. "The circus is more than entertainment; it's a memory and a tradition that refuses to disappear. This film tells the stories of the people who keep this world alive."

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Both Rashid and Kiphayet are Bangladeshi documentary photographers currently based in Washington, DC.