Wahid Ibn Reza: The Bangladeshi Filmmaker Taking Animation to the World

Wahid Ibn Reza has officially put Bangladesh in the international film spotlight after winning three major awards at one of Canada’s most prestigious film and television ceremonies. His animated short film After Us won three awards at the 2026 Leo Awards, marking a major achievement not only for Reza but also for Bangladesh’s growing presence in the global animation industry.

What makes Wahid Ibn Reza‘s journey even more remarkable is where it began. A graduate of BUET’s Mechanical Engineering program, Reza eventually moved to Canada to study filmmaking and went on to work behind some of the world’s most recognized film and television productions. Today, his name is connected to massive projects such as Game of Thrones, Rick and Morty, Doctor Strange, and Black Panther.With After Us, however, Reza is no longer working only behind the scenes. He has stepped forward as a filmmaker in his own right, using animation to tell a story about a world without humans, the resilience of nature, and the consequences of environmental change.

From Engineering to Filmmaking

Wahid Ibn Reza’s journey into filmmaking began from an unexpected background. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) before deciding to pursue his passion for film and visual storytelling.After completing his engineering degree, Reza moved to Canada and studied Film Production at the University of British Columbia. This combination of technical education and filmmaking eventually became an important foundation for his professional career.

His interest in arts and culture had already developed during his student years in Bangladesh. In 2001, he began working with the popular Bangladeshi satirical magazine Unmad, initially as a staff writer before becoming an associate editor.He also appeared in television dramas and established himself as a model and television presenter. His appearance in a White Plus Toothpaste television commercial directed by filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki further increased his visibility in Bangladesh.

A Career That Reached Hollywood

Reza eventually moved toward international film production and visual effects. In 2013, he began working in Hollywood as a production assistant on the animated television series Rick and Morty at Bardel Animation Studio.He later worked with major visual effects companies including MPC and Method Studios in British Columbia. In 2017, he joined Sony Pictures Imageworks as an Associate Production Manager.

Over the years, the career of Wahid Ibn Reza has taken him behind some of the biggest names in modern entertainment. His credits include:

• Game of Thrones
• Rick and Morty
• Doctor Strange
• Black Panther
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
• Avengers: Infinity War
• Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
• The Angry Birds Movie 2

His work demonstrates the increasingly international nature of the animation and visual effects industry, where professionals from different countries contribute to productions watched by audiences around the world.

After Us Brings Three Leo Awards

Reza’s latest achievement came with his animated short film After Us, which won three awards at the 2026 Leo Awards in Canada:

1. Best Animation Program
2. Best Art Direction
3. Best Sound Design

The achievement was particularly significant because the film competed alongside productions connected to internationally recognized franchises. Winning the Best Animation Program category placed After Us alongside productions such as LEGO Disney Frozen, LEGO Marvel Avengers, Snoopy Presents, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

For Wahid Ibn Reza and the Bangladeshi filmmaking community, this recognition represents a historic victory.

A Story About a World Without Humans

Produced by the National Film Board of Canada, After Us is a short animated film that imagines what happens after humanity disappears.

The five-minute film follows a wolf and a wolverine as they travel through a post-apocalyptic landscape. Instead of focusing solely on destruction, the story explores what happens to nature when humans are no longer present. The film touches on themes including climate change, survival, and nature’s resilience.

Through its short runtime and visual storytelling, After Us presents a thought-provoking question: what would the world look like if humanity suddenly disappeared?

A Childhood Memory Behind the Awards

For Reza, winning awards also brought back a humorous childhood memory. After the success of After Us, he reflected on losing a childhood competition and receiving a toy guitar from his mother as a consolation prize.

Although he eventually returned the guitar, the memory has remained connected with the concept of recognition in his mind. Reflecting on his latest achievement, Wahid Ibn Reza described winning three awards from four nominations as a remarkable accomplishment for the entire team. He ended his reaction with his characteristic sense of humor: “Not bad, not bad at all.”

From Bangladesh to the Global Screen

Reza’s career is notable not only because of the famous productions he has worked on, but also because of the unique path he took to reach the international film industry.

He began his professional journey in Bangladesh through writing, acting, television, and advertising before moving to Canada and building a career in filmmaking and visual effects. His story demonstrates how professionals from Bangladesh can establish themselves in highly competitive global creative industries.

Contributing to Bangladesh’s Animation Industry

Throughout his international success, Wahid Ibn Reza has maintained a close connection with Bangladesh’s local animation scene.

He produced Chacha Bahinir Ajob Kahini, widely recognized as Bangladesh’s first 3D animated television series. He also created Surviving ’71, a hand-drawn 2D animated feature based on the Bangladesh Liberation War.

These projects demonstrate his interest in using animation not only for international productions but also to tell stories deeply rooted in Bangladesh’s history. International recognition for creators like Reza helps showcase the potential of the country’s young artists, animators, and visual effects professionals.

More Than Just a Filmmaker

Reza’s creative career extends beyond film and animation. He has worked as a screenwriter, actor, poet, writer, and television presenter, publishing several collections of poetry, humor, and satire, including Debi, Kabya Khata, Kathopakathan, Have a Joke Please, Love Bites, Guti Kobitar Haat, and Kobita Sankranti.

A New Recognition for Bangladeshi Talent

The success of After Us is more than an individual achievement. From studying mechanical engineering at BUET to working on major Hollywood blockbusters and directing an award-winning animated film, Wahid Ibn Reza has forged an inspirational path.

His three Leo Awards highlight the massive potential available to Bangladeshi creators willing to take their skills to the global stage.