Two Pakistani films have achieved esteemed recognition on the global stage. ‘In Flames,’ directed and scripted by Zarrar Kahn, has garnered widespread local and international acclaim since its premiere. The film recently clinched the esteemed ‘International Newcomer Award’ at the International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg. Zarrar, sharing a post on his Instagram account, quoted a statement from the festival’s jury, alongside a picture where he proudly posed with the award:
“The recipient of our award is a filmmaker who adeptly manipulates and navigates through genres while maintaining a profound connection with both the audience and the protagonist throughout the film. The central character, a young woman, is depicted as both courageous and vulnerable, brought to life through a remarkable debut performance that harmonizes with the overall visual composition. The victor is ‘In Flames.'”
The movie’s official Instagram account also posted a clip from the event, expressing in the caption that this marked the first instance in 70 years where a Pakistani director had the honor of receiving such a prestigious award.
Meanwhile, Sarmad Khoosat’s film ‘Kamli’ continues to gather accolades even a year after its release. In Belarus, the film starring Saba Qamar secured three awards at the esteemed Minsk International Film Festival. Saba Qamar received the Best Actor Award, director Sarmad was honored with the Best Director Award, and the film also claimed the Viewer’s Choice award.