60-second films screened at international festival

Karachi

The metropolis witnessed creativity and film enthusiasts coming together for the annual screening of the 60 Seconds International Film Festival at the Pakistan-American Cultural Centre (PACC) on Saturday. 

The event featured a workshop on filmmaking and photography, discussions and film screenings.

The outreach director of 60siff, Atif Yousuf, said the festival was an initiative that provided a platform for young filmmakers from around the world to present their ideas and perceptions visually in front of diverse audiences. 

He added that the initiative aimed to empower the youth to raise their voice and create awareness of important social issues. 

Children’s creativity was widely appreciated during the workshop on filmmaking and photography, followed by a screening of films created by children from previous workshops held in collaboration with the US embassy and the WWF respectively. 

An episode of an animated series, Burka Avengers, was also shown on the occasion.

Uzma Alkarim, renowned TV anchor and the head of gender sensitivity committee of Geo News, appreciated the filmmaking efforts of the young directors, saying that their work would create a positive impact on society.

She said those who were using social media as a medium for their work must remember that they were representing Pakistan; hence, special consideration should be given to such works because in the end it was the country that was at the receiving end.

She added that the social media must be used by the young people constructively, rather than to settle personal scores or exacerbating hate.

Faheem Siddiqui, the bureau chief of Geo News in Karachi, highlighted the importance of citizen journalism by saying that many a time, the videos sent to him on WhatsApp prompted immediate action by the relevant authorities once they were broadcasted on the channel.

Abrar-ul-Hasan, the festival’s director, stated that the 60 Seconds International Film Festival was more of a union of art and media from all around the globe with the purpose of inspiring many.

Speaking to The News, Li Ping Lo, the cultural affairs officer in the US consulate, said she had witnessed real hunger and thirst by the students of Karachi to showcase their talent for arts, music and dance.   “I believe that Karachi is a resurgence city for the cultural activities,” she said.