Probal Rashid’s short documentary Stage of Survival, centered on Bangladesh’s travelling circus tradition, has earned widespread international acclaim.
The film recently secured second place in the documentary category at the 12th Egeart Short Film Competition in Turkiye, where 3,111 films from 100 countries competed.
It has also been officially selected and screened at prominent festivals, including the New York Lift-Off Film Festival and the NanoCon International Film Festival in the United States.
The documentary offers an intimate portrayal of a 150-year-old performance tradition, revealing how generations from low-income families are born into circus troupes and trained as full-time performers from childhood.
Lacking access to formal education, many grow up with limited alternatives beyond the circus ring.
Film Editor Aashish Kiphayet described the work as “a story of strength and hope” but also “a story of a traditional art form fading away.”
Rashid, who spent a decade documenting the Bulbul Circus until its final show in 2016, said the narrative continues with groups such as Rajmoni Circus. “The circus is more than entertainment; it is a memory and a tradition that refuses to disappear,” he said.
Both Rashid and Kiphayet are Bangladeshi documentary photographers based in Washington DC.
