Ishtiyak Ahmad Zihad (24) is a young filmmaker from Bangladesh who recently completed his studies in Film and Media Studies at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University. He began his creative journey in 2019 with the experimental short film God Gift. Since then, he has explored a range of compelling narratives through his ten short films.One of his notable works, Chaya Moricher Bone (2021), is a one-take short film inspired by the Bangladesh Liberation War. His short film Run Away (2020) received critical acclaim, winning six awards at film festivals in Bangladesh, India, the USA.

It was also screened at more than 100 film festivals worldwide. UK Film Review described it as “beautifully tragic.” In late 2024, Ishtiyak was selected for Tech Tales Youth 2, a film lab organized by the Australia-based non-profit organization EngageMedia in Malaysia. As part of the program, he directed Whisper of the Ink (2025), a short film that addresses digital rights and freedom of expression in the context of the July Movement 2024 in Bangladesh