[1][2] Founded in 2000 by Bangladeshi photographer and activist Shahidul Alam, the festival is organized by Drik Picture Library and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute.
It provides a platform for photographers worldwide, particularly from the Majority World (Asia, Africa, and Latin America), to exhibit their work, engage in workshops, and discuss pressing social issues through visual narratives.
[3][4] Chobi Mela was launched on 30 November 2000 by Shahidul Alam with the aim of exploring the semiotics of contemporary photographic practice and fostering a deeper understanding of visual storytelling within the industry and among the public.
[5] Organized by Drik Picture Library and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, the festival emerged as a regional platform to showcase photography from Asia and beyond.
The team collaborates through Drik Picture Library and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute to execute the biennial event.