PIFF 2021

PIFF’S WOMEN’S EDITION ‘21

Women’s Empowerment is a relatively ‘taboo’ topic in Pakistan, with movements fundamental to Women’s Rights being the talk of town. Due to the ongoing global pandemic creating a strenuous environment & situation, the Pakistan International Film Festival chose a theme which was impactful and would resonate with audiences across the nation. This year, PIFF is hosting its first ever Women’s Edition 2021, focusing on celebrating women and their contribution to the world of Pakistani Cinema.

With qualified professionals and industry experts onsite to provide their valuable insight, seminars/webinars and workshops will provide an influential platform for local aspiring artists, aside from the film screenings which will also feature six women-centric films at this year’s festival.

There will be limited seating available onsite with strict standard operating procedure (SOPs) being followed. Webinars will also be available online for guests to attend.

WORKSHOP

Workshop on Fighting Harassment at the Workplace with Xenab Ansari

As an advocate for women empowerment, Xenab Ansari showcased her impressive skills in the art of self defence, hosting an interactive and inclusive workshop dedicated to teaching both men and women how to defend themselves and speak up, staying true to the theme of equality and women empowerment at PIFF Women’s Edition 2021.

Analysing victim mentality, verbal and sexual harassment in different environments, Xenab Ansari engaged members of the audience while discussing responses to different types of abuse, the theory of an “interesting victim” and how to fend off predators effectively. Joined by MMA and Brazilian Jujitsu Fighter, Sarim Sheikh, Xenab showcased the art of self-defence with live demonstrations which had the audience hooked while learning all the relevant tips, such as how to protect oneself on public transport vehicles, at the workplace, at home and more!

Watch highlights

Workshop on Women Entrepreneurship in a Creative Economy with Ashifa Paracha & Sadaf Mahmood

Under the umbrella of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI), the workshop consisted of both female entrepreneurs sharing their knowledge with the audience, with founder and CEO of Xiphios Innovations, Sadaf Mahmood discussing the key elements of entrepreneurship, including how a business plan is created, and how failure is only part of the journey. The motivational speaker also spoke about organic growth, confidence, building a company from the ground up, i.e. ‘bootstrapping’, and much more!

This was followed by CEO of Brand E. Advertising, Ashifa Paracha, who is also a member of the WCCI, founder of the Pakistan Digital Awards & Corporate Lounge. Paracha addressed the foundation of being an entrepreneur in Pakistan, the mistakes one can make and highlighted the challenges women face in the corporate world. As someone who has built her career, Ashifa was able to clarify as well as share insight on time management and on how, rather than trying to specialise in multiple facets, a budding entrepreneur should ideally focus on stronger aspects which showcase their skill set.

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SEMINARS/WEBINARS

What Is Stopping Our Films From Growing Internationally?

The solution-oriented panel discussion focused on the current predicament faced by the media industry in the Pakistan today. As Chief Guest, Senator Faisal Javed Khan highlighted the necessity of growing on a national scale first, encouraging local consumption of Pakistani films before entering the foreign market.

Moderated by film critic Kamran Jawaid, the panel discussion went into detail about the substantial growth of Pakistani Cinema on an international level. Panelists such as Irfan Malik and Selina Rashid discussed the local market and budgets which bring about aesthetic and productive limitations, as well as the viability of digital streaming. As CEO of Lotus PR, Selina Rashid was able to point out Pakistan’s need to brand its film industry as a whole. Chairman of IMGC, Sheikh Amjad Rasheed and filmmaker Omer H. Paracha, also went on to address the barriers and opportunities for the increase in distribution of Pakistani films abroad.

Watch highlights

Moderated by

Kamran Jawaid

Film Critic ICON DAWN

Panelists

Omer H. Paracha

Filmmaker and Producer

We as a society need to focus on bringing our women up instead of tearing them down. As someone who lives in Pakistan, I feel dramas and films influence our present and future generations. So, if the industry hires women and pushes them forward to make content that focuses on women empowerment, then – and only then – can we get ahead. The truth of the matter is that only women can truly know what it is like to work in the industry, or be a woman in Pakistan, and so it is only them who could really bring the right stories and issues to light.

Sheikh Amjad Rasheed

Chairman of IMGC and Former Chairman Pakistan Film Producer Association

Irfan Malik

Senior Vice President ARY Films

I totally appreciate the fact that PIFF 2021 is about acknowledging women’s participation in the process of filmmaking and beyond. It’s about time we acknowledge the importance of the same and move towards an environment that encourages female participation

Selina Rashid

CEO - Lotus PR.

The contribution of women in media, across all facets, from conceptualization, direction, production, marketing, publicity, finance et al, is too large to go unnoticed and too significant in impact, to go uncelebrated. I am therefore pleased to be a part of the Pakistan International Film Festival and appreciate their focus on women this iteration.

Covid-19: Challenges & Opportunities, Understanding the ‘New Normal’

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought activities to a halt, affecting the media sector in particular. The seminar/webinar moderated by host and ‘infopreneur’, Sidra Iqbal, evaluated the challenges brought about by COVID-19 and in turn, explored the growth opportunities the ‘new normal’ offers, especially for women in the industry.

Senator(R) Javed Jabbar and CEO of Hum Network Ltd. Duraid Qureshi, both agreed on cinema being a wholesome experience in Pakistan, with producer Fizza Ali Meerza stating the need for mass multiplexes across the country. With Ameena Saiyid mentioning the need for a conducive environment, Dr. Farah Essa also indulged in the session, speaking about the opportunity for Muslim representation in films abroad. Amin Hashwani and Dr. Fouzia Saeed emphasised the role the pandemic played in opening technological pathways for Pakistan before the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry concluded the panel discussion, highlighting how technological advancement reduced disparity globally.

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Moderated by

Sidra Iqbal

TV personality, Infopreneur & Public Diplomacy Practitioner

Panelists

Ameena Saiyid

OBE, S.I.

Managing Director Lightstone Publishers

The Women’s edition of PIFF will increase and extend the impact of films and how they can be used as vehicles for awareness-raising and women empowerment. PIFF will tell the stories of the life and work of inspiring women and give visibility to and respect for women’s work. It will foster inclusivity, courage and resilience.

Dr. Farah Essa

Director Radiology at Dr Essa Laboratory & Diagnostic Center and founder of Dr Farah Essa Academy

Progressive countries give women equal opportunities for career growth and talent display. Women in all professions, especially in art & culture deserve to be given credit and placed in the limelight equally, so that their creative side is encouraged and explored to the maximum. The impact of COVID -19 caused severe challenges to entrepreneurs in the film, media and music industry, affecting all equally. In order to make sure this critical platform survives and comes though the impact of COVID-19, we need to ensure the survival of all of these talented individuals by giving them the skills, opportunities, international and local grooming by mentors expert in their respective fields. PIFF has taken the lead in commemorating the role of women in the industry, encouraging them and putting them in the spotlight

Amin Hashwani

Businessman & Social activist

The Covid crises has been felt disproportionately by the women in our society. They’ve had to cope with not only managing their homes, but also with loss of income and children’s education and wellbeing during school shutdowns. Their silent stories are indeed inspiring and worth sharing with a broader audience.

Dr. Fouzia Saeed

Director General Pakistan National Council of the Arts

In future, films will change the face of Pakistan and will represent the true diversity and richness of our culture

Duraid Qureshi

CEO Hum Network

Javed Jabbar

Senator (R)

Fizza Ali Meerza

CEO FilmWala Pictures / Filmmaker / Producer

Gender Stereotypes in Media and What Are Women Doing About It?

The seminar/webinar looked at existing gender stereotypes in Pakistani media, through television, advertising, web-series, social media and more. It also assessed the role of women in this situation, and how they currently approach and work on changing this narrative with the Head of India Valley School of Art and Architecture’s Communication Design Department, Tazeen Hussain, moderating.

With the President of Karachi Film Society, Sultana Siddiqui stating how media portals in Pakistan can start focusing on bringing positives forward rather than zoning in on the negative aspects, the discussion analysed the stigma surrounding women in the industry today. Filmmaker Sangeeta Apa (Parveen Rizvi) raised a point about the backlash faced when dramas portray reality, with a reference to popular and critically acclaimed serial ‘Udaari’. Following this point, actor and CEO of Odho Productions & Odho Consultancy, Atiqa Odho, shed light on the censorship controlling the content channels are allowed to produce, giving the example of successful drama ‘Pyaar Ke Sadqay’. Subsequently, the panel discussion also touched upon typecasting for women, with the Founder & Director of Uks Research Centre, Tasneem Ahmar, questioning the same roles women are made to play multiple times. Concluding the seminar, the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, gave a solution oriented speech, with initiatives to empower women in Pakistan.

Watch highlights

Moderated by

Tazeen Hussain

Head of Department – Communication & Design IVS

Panelists

Sultana Siddiqui

President Karachi Film Society

The Pakistan International Film Festival provides the opportunity for the youth to showcase talent internationally, promoting the positive image of Pakistan globally. There are wonderful workshops and seminars conducted to pass on knowledge and educate media enthusiasts. However, one person can’t do this alone, there is immense Government support required, and a push by the notables and influential figures in society. Due to COVID-19 we have limitations in executing this year’s “Women’s Edition” but I still believe PIFF will make the right kind of impact just like other international festivals (NYFF, Cannes).

Tasneem Ahmar

Founder & Director Uks Research Center

There is a growing trend of women, particularly young women, not relating to the tropes and realities portrayed in our entertainment media. This is both heartening and disheartening: heartening because our new generation of women does not want to live the life of romanticized misogyny that our generations have lived. But also, disheartening because in many of our men’s understandings, romanticized misogyny is where the world is and will remain.
We are hoping to talk about young Pakistani women’s agenda in creative media, how not to lose them and what are the issues that they want to speak about or see.

Atiqa Odho

Actor, CEO - Odho Productions & Odho Consultancy, Chairperson Focus PK, Former VC PFPA, BOT Member Act, Former Chairperson UPA & Founding Member PREDA

Pakistani cinema has struggled to survive since its inception as the state has never adopted it seriously. Films don’t just create entertainment for our audiences, they also help in brand building a soft image of a country globally.

Sangeeta (Parveen Rizvi)

Actor / Filmmaker / Producer / Director

As an actress, and a filmmaker I can say that there are hurdles women face in the industry which makes it difficult for them to make space and survive. However, the right kind of awareness is needed to push forward the momentum to have women grow within the medium of the film and television industry and this year’s Women’s Edition is all about that. Women of the film and television industry act as a binding force and should be treated as one. We must commend their achievements and bring forth the women extraordinaries of tomorrow.

SCREENINGS

With venues selected to show special screenings for underprivileged children, animated films were screened at Capri Cinema and Nueplex Cinemas to name a few, The donkey King, Allahyar, The legend of Markhor, Quaid se baatain, 3 bahadur rise of the warriors and many more. PIFF’19 engaged diverse communities in the city to participate and unite under the banner of ‘cinematic appreciation’ in Pakistan.

Dobara Phir Se (2016)

To Be Announced

2 hours 7 minutes

Director: Mehreen Jabbar

Producer: Salman Iqbal, Jerjees Seja

Following the story of Zainab (Hareem Farooq), the film shows an empowered and independent single mother, who ultimately finds herself again while navigating her way through life in New York City and forging valuable friendships on the way.

Parwaaz Hai Junoon (2018)

To Be Announced

2 hours 10 minutes

Director: Haseeb Hassan

Producer: Momina Duraid

After returning to Pakistan from the United States, Sania (Hania Aamir) embarks on a mission to defend her country by joining the Air Force, despite the challenges she has to face as a woman. After losing her love interest Hamza (Hamza Ali Abbasi) to martyrdom, she overcomes obstacles in her path and becomes a member of the PAF.

Motorcycle Girl (2018)

To Be Announced

1 hour 57 minutes

Director: Adnan Sarwar

Producer: Adnan Sarwar, Jami

Sohai Ali Abro plays famed motorcyclist Zenith Irfan in this inspiring adventure. The film chronicles the journey of an independent and liberated young woman who sets out to break stereotypes by travelling up north on her motorcycle and living her father’s dream.

Punjab Nahi Jaungi (2017)

To Be Announced

2 hours 39 minutes

Director: Nadeem Baig

Producer: Salman Iqbal, Jerjees Seja, Humayun Saeed, Shahzad Nasir

Humayun Saeed woos Mehwish Hayat all the way back to Punjab with him in this adventurous romantic comedy, following a few altercations here and there!

Superstar (2019)

To Be Announced

2 hours 15 minutes

Director: Mohammed Ehteshamuddin

Producer: Momina Duraid

This Mahira Khan and Bilal Ashraf starrer tells the tale of a whirlwind romance and the price fame, with a hint of role-reversal between Noori (Mahira Khan) and Sameer’s (Bilal Ashraf) celebrity careers.

Load Wedding (2018)

To Be Announced

2 hours 15 minutes

Director: Nabeel Qureshi

Producer: Fizza Ali Meerza, Mehdi Ali

The fiery rom-com addresses the stigma surrounding marriage and society with Mehwish Hayat and Fahad Mustafa’s dynamic performances!

MESSAGE FOR OUR SPONSORS

We would like to thank our partners and the Provincial and Federal Governments for their support and trust, which enable the Karachi Film Society to prosper and thrive as an essential part of celebrating culture and films through the Pakistan International Film Festival.