The United International University (UIU) Media Fest has been held with calls for renewed attention to ethics, critical thinking, and the role of technology in shaping journalism and creativity.

The opening session was introduced by Professor Mario Hirstein, followed by remarks from Registrar Dr Md Zulfiqur Rahman and Vice Chancellor Md Abul Kashem Mia. Head of the Department of Media Studies and Journalism, Dr Sheikh Shafiul Islam, was also present.

Speakers reflected on how media influences historical and political narratives, the decline of attention spans, and the integration of artificial intelligence into different fields. Dr. Rahman spoke candidly about his own shifting habits, admitting that devices had replaced his once-regular reading, and urged students to return to books to strengthen their analytical skills.

Dean of the humanities and social science faculty, Prof. Dr. Hamidul Huq also shared his valuable insights in his speech with the audience.

The session concluded with a departmental documentary and a musical performance highlighting student life, before university officials visited a photography exhibition showcasing rural and urban Bangladesh, with images of rivers, fields, and cityscapes captured by students.

The day then moved to the ‘Media Quiz’, hosted by Professor Hirstein, where student teams tested their knowledge across categories such as social media, films, games, and streaming. Questions ranged from identifying global and regional film stills to debating the most-followed Instagram account and Netflix’s most-watched series.

After a short break, lecturer Umme Ammara hosted ‘Content Projection’, screening student-made documentaries and narratives. The documentaries explored issues such as indigenous populations, flooding, and rural struggles, while the narratives examined themes of love, immortality, mental health, the looming presence of microplastics, and more.

The most anticipated segment, ‘Star Talk’, featured actress Mehazabien Chowdhury, filmmaker Maksud Hossain, content creator Kaarena Kaiser, and director Shankha Dasgupta. Lecturer Kazi Kamrun Nahar interviewed the first pair, followed by lecturer Sumia Zahid’s interview of the second pair.

Chowdhury recalled childhood dreams of fame, while Hossain discussed his upcoming film Saba, due for release on 26 September.

Kaiser reflected on the rise of content creation in Bangladesh, warning against clickbait and voyeurism disguised as journalism. Dasgupta, meanwhile, urged young filmmakers to focus on intent and clarity of purpose over technical perfection.

Ms. Sumia Zahid hosted another session of Star Talk featuring two distinguished guests: Mr. Shariful Islam Khan, Head of News at News 24, and Md. Sariful Islam, Head of Influencing, Communication, Advocacy, and Media at Oxfam in Bangladesh. Both speakers emphasized enhancing students’ technological knowledge to strengthen their career prospects in the evolving media landscape.

The faculty honoured invited guests before prizes were awarded to winners and runners-up across the competitions.

The festival closed with a cultural showcase of music, ramp walk, and dance by students, marking the end of a day that combined creativity, dialogue, and performance.