To mark its 28th anniversary, the Bangladesh Environment Network (BEN) has launched a global reel competition, inviting youths and digital creators to highlight pressing environmental challenges and propose actionable solutions for the country. The initiative aims to bridge academic research with modern digital advocacy by engaging the next generation of climate campaigners. Operating as a global alliance of non-resident Bangladeshis, domestic professionals, and international allies, BEN hopes to gather high-quality digital media assets to leverage in its ongoing ecological conservation campaigns.
Open to solo participants and groups of up to three worldwide, the competition focuses on critical themes such as water resource management, clean energy transition, sustainable urbanisation, pollution control, and biodiversity conservation. Participants are required to produce one-to-two-minute vertical videos that follow a clear narrative arc of presenting a specific local problem and suggesting a viable solution. Organisers have established strict technical guidelines, explicitly prohibiting the use of generative artificial intelligence for footage, scripting, or voiceovers to ensure complete originality and scientific accuracy. Audio and text elements can be in either Bengali or English, though cross-lingual subtitles are highly encouraged.
A panel of BEN leadership will evaluate the submissions based on clarity, impact, creative execution, and data integrity. The top three winners will be awarded a total of Tk 10,000 in prize bonds, alongside certificates of excellence. The winning and highly commended entries will be showcased globally during BEN’s official 28th-anniversary celebration, scheduled to be held on July 18 at The Jewish Center in Jackson Heights, New York. Interested creators must submit their high-definition videos via email to 28years@ben-global.net by 11:59pm BST on June 30. Comprehensive competition guidelines and further details can be found at https://ben-global.net/ben-28-years-anniversary/.
