Fondazione Prada Film Fund Debuts at Venice with Rubaiyat Hossain's 'The Difficult Bride'
Launched in September 2025, the Fondazione Prada Film Fund showcased Rubaiyat Hossain's 'The Difficult Bride' on September 6 at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, featured in the Orizzonti section. Out of more than 1,200 entries, it stands as one of 14 projects receiving support, with the fund allocating €1.5 million and allowing up to €250,000 for each project. This film, a collaboration among France, Bangladesh, Portugal, Norway, and Germany, centers on Zaineen, a bride in Dhaka on her wedding day. Hossain, an alumna of Smith College and NYU, has previously directed 'Meherjaan' (2011) and 'Made in Bangladesh' (2019). Miuccia Prada described the selection as an 'important early achievement.' Announcements for future projects are set for February 2027.
Key facts
- Fondazione Prada Film Fund debuted at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival with Rubaiyat Hossain's 'The Difficult Bride'.
- The film premiered in the Orizzonti section on September 6 at Sala Darsena on the Lido.
- The fund received over 1,200 submissions and selected 14 projects for support.
- The first edition committed €1.5 million, with individual projects eligible for up to €250,000.
- The film is a co-production between France, Bangladesh, Portugal, Norway, and Germany.
- Producers include Les Films de l'Après-Midi, Midas Filmes, Khona Talkies, and Barentsfilm, with Tandem Productions; Films Boutique handles international sales.
- Miuccia Prada, President and Director of Fondazione Prada, praised the selection as an 'important early achievement'.
- The fund is directed by Paolo Moretti and will announce its next selected projects in February 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Rubaiyat Hossain
Institutions
- Fondazione Prada
- Venice International Film Festival
- Les Films de l'Après-Midi
- Midas Filmes
- Khona Talkies
- Barentsfilm
- Tandem Productions
- Films Boutique
- Smith College
- University of Pennsylvania
- NYU Tisch School of the Arts
- Whitewall
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Dhaka
- Bangladesh
- France
- Portugal
- Norway
- Germany
- Lido