Film Festival
KARACHI: The Nueplex Film Festival kicked off in Karachi, providing a platform for emerging talent and indie filmmakers to showcase their creativity and storytelling skills. The three-day festival, held at Nueplex cinemas, features 18 films that aim to “create cinematic magic despite limited experience and resources,” according to the organizers.
On the first day, nine films, including “Discarded,” “Circus,” “Cardiac Arrest,” “Barzakh,” “Shikray Ka Gudda,” “Reverie,” “Ticket to Paradise,” “Haibat,” and “Sentinal Jet,” were showcased. The festival continues to highlight diverse genres, with the second set of nine films scheduled for today.
Sharmeen Ali, director of the film “Reverie,” expressed her excitement about being part of the festival, describing it as an honour to have her film nominated and shortlisted. She sees the event as an excellent opportunity to connect with talented filmmakers and industry leaders. Industry icons such as writer Bee Gul, actor Humayun Saeed, director Siraj ul Haq, writer Zanjabeel Asim Shah, and director Nadeem Baig are among the esteemed jury members adjudicating the films.
Director Siraj ul Haq applauded the inclusion of science fiction films in the festival, noting that it marks a significant advancement for Pakistani filmmakers entering a genre traditionally dominated by the Western film industry.
Taha Chaudhry, portraying the antagonist in the sci-fi film “Sentinel Jet,” highlighted the challenges faced due to limited resources and the unique shooting structure for the genre in Pakistan. Despite the constraints, he praised the film’s team for delivering a compelling visual experience.
As the festival unfolds, filmmakers eagerly await the awards ceremony on day three. The jury will recognize outstanding achievements in categories such as Best Director, Best Film, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design, Best Production Design, and the coveted Best Screenplay award.
