With a gradual growth in Pakistani cinema marshaling in a new era of filmmaking in the country, initiatives such as the Pakistan International Film Festival (PIFF) are helping make the industry stronger.
Announced at a press conference on Thursday, the first Pakistan International Film Festival (PIFF) will be held from March 29 to April 1 in Karachi. The project is an initiative of the Karachi Film Society (KFS), which aims to model the four-day festival like the now discontinued Kara Film Festival – with an exception being that it has the blessings of both the Sindh and the federal government.
“Karachi Film Society is a great initiative by the most committed and accomplished members of our society, and I am very proud to be part of such a dedicated team,” Sultana Siddiqi – the head of KFS said. “This festival will definitely create opportunities for new filmmakers to showcase their work to enthusiastic viewers and professionals across the globe. I hope that this collective effort will grow in the years to come.â€
The board members for the KFS include names like Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Ameena Saiyid, amongst others.
Opened by former senator and media personality Javed Jabbar, the press conference aimed to bring all cinephiles and industry bigwigs under one roof to have a unified approach to the film festival. Present at the event were celebs like Sanam Saeed, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Wajahat Rauf, Yasir Nawaz, and Ayesha Omar amongst others.
This festival will introduce the country’s blossoming film industry to international markets and will encourage local filmmakers to showcase their work to the local and international audience. It will comprise film premieres and special screenings in the categories of feature-length films, documentaries, and short films. Reportedly, PIFF management is also inviting the overseas delegates of filmmakers, artists, and professionals of the film industry from abroad and expects many renowned names to grace the festival.
Another important aspect of this festival will be to hold workshops for young aspiring filmmakers where they can learn the craft from renowned mentors. A special mobile screening programme is also included in which PIFF teams will show selected films to young audiences on different locations of Karachi. The special panel discussions on women’s role in Film/ TV and seminars on the Pakistan film industry will also be an integral part of PIFF.
Aiming to amalgamate the technical know-how with creative processes, PIFF will soon be announcing the venue(s) for the upcoming event.
Keep checking this space for more information.
