Filmmakers from Pakistan in Cannes programme first time in history

Pakistan will be represented with a feature film project for the first time in the history at the 72nd edition of Cannes Film Festival in May 2019.

Filmmakers from Pakistan have made it to the list of 15 directors for Cinefondation’s Atelier programme.

Iram Parveen Bilal from Pakistan heads to the French Riviera with her upcoming project Wakhri

This will be produced by Abid Aziz Merchant of Sanat Initiative.

The duo have already worked together on FORBIDDEN STEPS starring veteran actor Muhammad Qavi Khan, Faran Tahir and Nikita Tewani, which is currently in post production phase with plans for release in 2020.

The project has already garnered support by being one of the eight selected projects at the Locarno Film Festival’s prestigious Open Doors Hub last year.

It now aims to achieve recognition and international financing at the Cinefondation’s Atelier.

The project is an original fictional story that focuses on the life of a social media star.

Set in Punjab, it explores the power and challenge of virality and modern information technology especially in a country where the masses are still below the poverty and literacy line.

Wakhri hopes to entertain wildly whilst still engaging the audience in thought provocation.