Pakistan Crescent Collective to debut central hub at Cannes Film Festival this year

LONDON: The Pakistan Crescent Collective is set to make it debut at the 77th Cannes Film Festival this year, marking the first time the country has had a central hub. 

Launched by Modoxy Media, the collective hopes to discover and nurture the next generation of talent, preserve film, and promote Pakistani and diaspora films globally, thereby advancing Pakistan's visual culture. 

Pakistan has made a significant impact at Cannes in recent years. In 2022, "Joyland" won Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at the festival followed by Zarrar Kahn's psychological thriller film "In Flames" in the Director's Fortnight section in 2023. Both films were Pakistan's official submissions to the Academy Awards. 

The collective aims to build on this momentum by launching a robust and comprehensive program for Cannes which includes a filmmaker panel discussion and event following the marche preview screening for the highly anticipated "The Glassworker".

"The Glassworker" is a landmark for Pakistani cinema as the country's first 2D hand-painted traditional film inspired by the iconic Japanese animation house, Studio Ghibli.

In addition, the collective is co-hosting the inauguration and reception for the world's first South Asian Film Market, launched by the Oscar-qualifying Tasveer Film Festival.

Tasveer and the Pakistan Crescent Collective will co-host an exclusive speed networking event on the American Pavilion Terrace. Selected filmmaking teams will meet with established film financiers and funders to pitch their next project during a rapid round of networking, followed by a cocktail sundowner reception for all participants. This event is part of American Pavilion's Global Lens Day.

Mohammed Ali Naqvi, founder of Modoxy Media, emphasised the significance of Pakistan Crescent Collective, stating, "As one of the only countries without a central hub at Cannes, it's imperative to launch initiatives like The Crescent Collective. We are dedicated to championing Pakistani cinema and talent, both at home and abroad. It's time to celebrate our own."