IASA-BAAC 2026 Conference

Name: From Loss to Resilience: Safeguarding Bangladesh’s Audiovisual Heritage in Times of Crisis
Start: 2026-10-20T11:30:00+0300
End: 2026-10-20T12:00:00+0300

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From Loss to Resilience: Safeguarding Bangladesh’s Audiovisual Heritage in Times of Crisis

Tuesday October 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm EEST

Statehood hall: Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania

This presentation examines the challenges and opportunities of safeguarding audiovisual heritage in Bangladesh, a context shaped by historical loss, environmental vulnerability, and limited archival infrastructure. It takes as a starting point the legacy of Hiralal Sen, one of the earliest filmmakers in South Asia, whose pioneering works were largely destroyed by fire. This early loss highlights the fragility of audiovisual memory and the long-standing absence of systematic preservation practices in the region.

Building on this historical case, the paper explores contemporary risks facing audiovisual archives in Bangladesh, including climate-related threats such as flooding and humidity, resource constraints in archival institutions, and the vulnerability of independent and community-based collections. Particular attention is given to the preservation of materials that document marginalized voices, including grassroots movements, indigenous communities, and socially engaged media practices, which are often at risk of neglect or erasure.

The presentation also addresses emerging concerns regarding the authenticity and integrity of audiovisual records in the digital era. With the growing influence of artificial intelligence and the spread of manipulated media, ensuring the reliability of archival materials has become increasingly complex, especially in contexts with limited technological capacity.
In response to these challenges, the paper proposes practical and scalable strategies for resilience, including low-cost digitization, community-led archiving initiatives, capacity-building programs, and regional collaboration. It argues that safeguarding audiovisual heritage in Bangladesh requires an approach that integrates local knowledge with global best practices.

By situating Bangladesh within broader discussions of archives in times of peace and crisis, this presentation contributes to ongoing efforts to protect memory, identity, and authenticity in vulnerable archival contexts.

Speakers

Smita Barua

Sub Assistant Engineer, Member

Sub-Assistant Engineer | Digital Archiving & Document Control Specialist
Dhaka, Bangladesh
📞 +88-01744272336
📧 [email protected]PROFESSIONAL PROFILESenior audiovisual archive and digital preservation professional with 14+ years of experience in national-level film archiving... Read More →

Tuesday October 20, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm EEST
Statehood hall: Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania

Short Presentation, Hybrid

Zoom link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86939636277
Zoom password 289030

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IASA-BAAC 2026 Conference

Smita Barua

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Smita Barua

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