The purpose of an international film festival was achieved with the KaraFilm Festival, said Indian film producer Mahesh Bhatt at the closing ceremony of the 7th KaraFilm Festival on Sunday at the Arts Council.
Among a large crowd that attended the closing ceremony, including the jury members, both local and foreign, and film producers, the Kara finished, as it began, with an informal ceremony. Hasan Zaidi, the Festival Director thanked all the partners, financiers, donators and supporters of KaraFilm Festival who contributed to make the event a success.
Zaidi thanked the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) and the Sindh Department of Culture for support, even though the city Nazim and the Minister for Culture were unable to attend. He also thanked the police and the Governor of Sindh for the support that they gave to the festival.
The “Ciepie” was awarded to six films, two documentaries – Superman of Malagaoun (India), and Kesan Lapsi (Finland) — two short films with one for Best Animated Film being awarded to Even Pigeons Go to Heaven (France). The best Short Action Film award went to “Match Factor” and its Pakistani Director Maheen Zia.
The Best Feature Film award was picked up by Nandita Das’ Firaaq that was screened twice in the festival.
Among the features, the Pakistani Tele Film “Burns Road Ki Niilofer” picked up two awards for Best Screenplay and Best Female Supporting Actress and a nomination for Best Female Lead Actor. Pakistani film Khuda Kay Liye actor Rasheed Naz was awarded Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and the Special Jury Award went to Rasheed
Farooqui for Ramchand Pakistani.
The latter also picked up a nomination for best musical score, but was beaten to the Ciepie by Iranian film Santouri.
Das, while receiving her award said that she was glad at the response that her film received, and the citation that the jury gave, separating judgment from the obvious political filters through which it had been largely perceived.
Bhatt, in his short address said that as he was out buying a few films at a shop in Karachi, and a guy approached him to ask for help with his neurologically disabled brother. “The guy asked for help in contacting a neurosurgeon in Mumbai, and I immediately punched in the number and let them set up a possible meeting.” This, Bhatt said, was exactly how film festivals help bring the people of different countries together. Further mentioning his meeting with Mehdi Hasan earlier in the day, Bhatt said that neither he nor Hasan would forget the bonds formed during their meeting.
Among the other foreign film producers who had attended the festival were Andre Herman from Germany who said that he enjoyed his stay in Pakistan and will give good news about Pakistan to those in Germany. Meena Kaur from India was also present.
Zaidi then wrapped up the festival by revealing that the Ministry of Culture had promised a grant of Rs1 million for the festival. He also thanked the diplomatic missions of Sweden and Italy who helped bring not only films but also arranged for the trip of directors and producers of their films. He also thanked the Goethe Institut for arranging German films.
The event organizers Adnan Malik, Tahera Hasan, and Maheen Zia acknowledged the hard work and dedication with which the volunteers worked to make the Kara experience a pleasant one for the guests. —GA
