Bangladeshi actress Zaineen Chowdhury Karim has won the ‘Best Actor’ (International Feature) award at the International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto 2026 for her lead performance in ‘The Difficult Bride’.
Directed by Rubaiyat Hossain and co-produced by Khona Talkies, the film explores conflict between family expectations, personal desires and a woman’s control over her own body.
The festival was held from October 8 to 18. IFFSA is part of the South Asian Screen Council of Canada (SASC Canada).
The jury praised the fearlessness and physical intensity of Zaineen’s performance, highlighting her seamless transitions between vulnerability, suppressed anger and defiance.
It noted that her portrayal anchors the film’s exploration of womanhood, oppression and resistance.
The recognition follows the film’s screenings at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, the BFI London Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.
Set in a traditional beauty parlour in Dhaka, ‘The Difficult Bride’ follows a bride-to-be who grows increasingly frustrated with the repeated grooming and makeover rituals arranged by her family. As the pressure mounts, her body becomes a site of resistance.
Alongside Zaineen, cast includes Reekita Nondine Shimu, Sunerah Binte Kamal, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Shatabdi Wadud, Saberi Alam and Mohammad Bari.