Pakistan has won at Busan! For the first time in the history of Pakistani Cinema, two Pakistani filmmakers walk away with awards from the prestigious Busan Film Festival.

Writer-Director Hamza Bangash received First Prize, Award of Excellence, from the Asian Film Academy and Motion Picture Association (MPA) for his feature film-in-development ‘Mariam.’ The MPA-AFA prize grants the first place winner a 5-day Immersion Program trip to Los Angeles, USA where Bangash will pitch his film to US-based producers.

Hamza Bangash receiving his award from Edward B. Neubronner, Senior Vice President, Asia-Pacific MPA

Bangash’s feature film, Mariam, is inspired by his 2018 critically-acclaimed short, Dia. The film is being produced by Mina Husain, a UK-based producer, and Anam Abbas, a prolific Pakistani filmmaker and Berlinale Talent (2018). Mariam is slated for a 2021 release, and is currently raising development funds. The film is art-house horror/thriller described as ‘In Pakistan, a young woman’s grief becomes a nightmarish reality.’

Dia (2018) starring Nida Khan, Baktawar Mazhar and Zarrar Khan was selected for the 2018 Locarno Film Festival. The short film serves as the inspiration for the feature, MARIAM.

Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha has been awarded the prestigious Kim Ji-seok Award.

The Kim Ji-seok Award, named after the festival’s co-founder and executive programmer was jointly presented to Zindagi Tamasha and to Pradip Kurbah’s Market (India).

Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival earlier this week.

Set in Lahore, the film chronicles the chaos that ensues in the life of a devout elderly man when a video featuring him gets uploaded onto social media.

The film has been directed and co-produced by Khoosat along with his sister Kanwal Khoosat. It has been written by Nirmal Bano and stars Eman Suleman, Samiya Mumtaz, Arif Hasan and Ali Qureshi.

The soundtrack for the movie has been composed by Lux Style Award winners Saakin.

With wins in Busan, Venice and inclusion in Canne’s L’Atelier program, 2018 is proving in be a banner year for Pakistani Independent Cinema.

We believe it is safe to say, Pakistani New Wave is on the rise!