Kolkata, Feb 14 (IANS): Twenty-three films would be screened at the four-day 2nd Bangladesh Film Festival, to be inaugurated here on February 15, a senior Bangladesh diplomat said on Wednesday.

Noting the commonality of language and cultural history between the two nations, specially between Bangladesh and West Bengal, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Kolkata Toufique Hasan, said it is a "great opportunity to work jointly and increase cross-border engagements".

The festival will open at Kolkata's film complex Nandan in the presence of Bangladesh Information Minister Hasan Mahmud and West Bengal Tourism Minister Goutam Deb.

National award-winning filmmaker Goutam Ghosh will be the special guest, he said.

A team of 11 government representatives will accompany the minister. Eminent artists like Mumtaz Begum (singer) and actors like Riyaz, Tareen Jahan and other popular faces will also be there.

The films will be screened at film complexes Nandan and Nazrul Tirtha (in northeastern fringes of the city). The festival will draw the curtain on February 18.

Hasan called for more joint ventures as Bangladesh actors like Jaya Ahsan and Ferdous Ahmed are doing well in Indian (Bengali) films.

Bengal's leading actor Rituparna Sengupta and Abir Chatterjee's work in Bangladeshi films have been appreciated by people in the neighbouring countries.

"This is needed for both of us to go ahead jointly," he said.

Films like 'Guerilla'(drama) and 'Chitra Nodir Paare' are being 'screened for the second time on special request' besides new releases like 'Dahan' and 'Putra'.

"Amader Bongobondhu" (docu-drama) will be the inaugural film of the festival.