Pakistan’s movie industry continues to make waves on the international stage and garner significant attention at prestigious global festivals as two movies have bagged international awards.
The two standout productions i.e. Zarrar Kahn’s ‘In Flames’ and Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Kamli’ have recently been honoured for their exceptional artistry and commitment to storytelling at the International Newcomer Award at the International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg (IFFMH).
The festival’s jury praised the movie for its genre-shifting narrative, the connection to the audience, and the portrayal of a brave yet fragile young woman.
In Flames not only marks Pakistan’s return to the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight but is also in the running for the international feature Oscar. Meanwhile, in Belarus, Sarmad Khoosat’s Kamli made history at the Minsk International Film Festival by winning three prestigious awards.
Saba Qamar was honored with the Best Actor Award, Khoosat himself received the Best Director Award, and the movie secured the Viewers’ Choice accolade at the renowned Listapad festival, the largest film festival in Belarus.
In Flames
In Flames is a Pakistani-Canadian horror film which centres a young woman who becomes haunted by visions of the dead returning to life after the death of her family’s patriarch leaves her and her mother Fariha in a vulnerable social position in Pakistan’s highly patriarchal society.
Kamli
Kamli is a drama film featuring Saba Qamar in a pivotal role. The film is based on a short film by Mehar Bano which revolves around the intertwining stories of three women and their restrained desires.
