Pakistan Film Festival in New York brings the stars

The 2nd edition of Pakistan Film Festival concluded recently in New York, with an enthralling musical performance by Zeb Bangash and her band Sandaraa. The two-day event, which was hosted by Pakistan Mission to the United Nations, saw a slew of film luminaries such as Mahira Khan, Mehwish Hayat, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Mikaal Zulfikar, Aaminah Shaikh, Beo Rana Zafar, and Frieha Altaf descend on Asia Society, the venue for the festival. They were joined by directors Nadeem Baig and Asim Abbasi whose features Punjab Nahi Jaungi and Cake, respectively, were among the few films screened at the festival.

In her welcome speech, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s representative to the UN, spoke of the festival being an effort “to both acknowledge the remarkable revival of Pakistan’s cinema and to showcase and celebrate it.” The reception was attended by ambassadors, UN officials, and accredited media persons.

On the closing night, Obaid-Chinoy participated in a special segment, titled ‘Beyond the Oscars,’ in which she discussed her works as well as the challenges she faced as a filmmaker in Pakistan.