Md Nadim Iqbal is a Toronto-based Bangladeshi-Canadian documentary filmmaker, cinematographer, editor, and photographer whose work explores migration, language, liberation history, identity, education, and marginalized communities.

For Nadim, filmmaking is more than a profession—it is a way of discovering human stories that often remain unseen. Through documentary film and photography, he captures stories of memory, resilience, culture, and social change across communities and borders.

His debut documentary Mother Tongue, which explores language and intergenerational identity, received more than 40 international festival selections, awards, and finalist recognitions across North America, Europe, and beyond. The film was later featured by CBC.

His documentary Bidyabhuban tells the story of an innovative school in rural Bangladesh and was screened at Seneca College, York University, and Dhaka Lit Fest.

His film Speaking Home was broadcast by Deepto TV, while Behind the Spring earned multiple international awards for its exploration of LGBTQ identity and social realities.

His recent documentary A Freedom Fighter Forever has been screened in 52 venues worldwide, including festivals, universities, and cultural institutions, with its latest screening held in Frankfurt in 2026. His newest film, Voice of Millions, has recently been screened in New York City and Toronto.

Nadim has also worked with United Nations Development Programme on human rights storytelling projects and served as a jury member for the Calcutta International Cult Film Festival.

A graduate of Seneca College in Documentary & Non-Fiction Media Production and Digital Photography, he continues to tell stories that connect local experiences with global audiences through film and photography.

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Selected Filmography

 

Mother Tongue (2016 | 13 min)

Director | Cinematographer | Editor

A documentary exploring language, migration, and intergenerational identity. The film was streamed by CBC for 18 months from July 2019 to January 2021 and received more than 40 international selections, awards, and finalist recognitions. It won Best Shorts Competition (California), F.A.M.E. International Film Festival (Platinum Award), Impact Docs Awards, Around International Film Festival, and Spotlight Documentary Film Awards. It was also a finalist at the Denver Film Festival and screened across Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, Finland, Romania, Mexico, Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Bidyabhuban (2018)

Director | Cinematographer | Editor

A documentary focused on education and underprivileged children in Bangladesh. The film was screened at Fox Theatre in Toronto, Seneca College, York University, and Dhaka Lit Fest. It was also recognized as a finalist at Gona Film Awards in India.

Speaking Home (2020)

Director | Cinematographer | Editor

A documentary exploring Bangladeshi immigrant communities and First Nations communities in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The film was broadcast by Deepto TV and won Havelock International Film Festival.

Behind the Spring (2021)

Director | Cinematographer | Editor

An LGBTQ-focused documentary exploring identity and social realities. The film received eight award wins, five official selections, and one honorable mention, including recognition from Ayan Film Awards, Chittagong Indie Festival, Goa Film Awards, Port Blair International Film Festival, and Gold Star Movie Awards in New Jersey.

A Freedom Fighter Forever (2024)

Director | Cinematographer | Editor

A documentary on Dr. Nuran Nabi and Bangladesh’s liberation history. The film has been screened in 52 venues worldwide, including festivals, universities, cultural institutions, and community spaces. Its 52nd screening took place in Frankfurt on April 11, 2026. It has also received multiple festival recognitions and was screened at the United Service Institution of India.

Voice of Millions (2026)

Director | Cinematographer | Editor

A documentary documenting contemporary social and historical narratives. The film was recently screened in New York City and Toronto.

Nowfel Never Dies

Director | Cinematographer | Editor

This project has received three award wins, two semi-finalist placements, and one nomination.

 

Professional Experience

NI Production

Photographer & Filmmaker

Producing independent documentaries, photography assignments, post-production editing work, and community-based storytelling projects in Toronto and internationally.

United Nations Development Programme

Documentary Photographer / Filmmaker

Worked on a human rights project documenting Hijra communities in Bangladesh.

Calcutta International Cult Film Festival

Jury Member

Served as an international jury member.

 

Education

Seneca College

Documentary & Non-Fiction Media Production
Ontario Graduate Certificate

Independent Digital Photography
Ontario College Diploma

Toronto District School Board

Producing a Short Film

Career Highlights

60+ international festival recognitions.
Films screened across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Featured by CBC and Deepto TV.
52 global screenings for A Freedom Fighter Forever.
Multiple award-winning filmmaker, cinematographer, editor, and photographer.