NEW YORK: The second edition of the Pakistan Film Festival in New Yorkconcluded on Sunday night, after enthusiastic audiences were treated tosome of the highest-grossing Pakistani films over the last two days.
Many popular Pakistani celebrities which included the likes of Mahira Khan,Mikaal Zulfiqar, Ayesha Omar, Mehwish Hayat and Aaminah Sheikh were part ofthe festival.
This year’s PFF kicked off on Saturday with the screening of fourblockbuster Pakistani films, namely *7 Din Mohabbat In, Parchi, Verna* and*Cake*. While on Sunday *Na Band Na Baraati, La La Begum* and *Punjab NahiJaungi* were shown to the audiences.
“It has been exciting hosting the second Pakistan Film Festival and movieartists from Pakistan and ensuring our latest movies find an internationalplatform,” Pakistani Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi said in herconcluding remarks at the Asia Society hall.
“This festival is special, as it brought our films to a global audience,showing Pakistan in a light that the world rarely sees in Western media.”
Lodhi added, “The energy and dynamism of our emerging film industry reflectthe energy and spirit of the people of Pakistan.”
Ambassador Lodhi wholeheartedly thanked the stars for taking time out oftheir busy schedules and traveling to New York to participate in thefestival. “You did Pakistan proud,” she said, as loud applause rang out.
Lodhi also congratulated the officers and staff of the Pakistan Mission inNew York for their hard work in ensuring the success of the festival.
On behalf of the visiting actors, Mikaal Zulfiqar thanked Lodhi for herinitiative to hold the festival as part of the efforts to promote culturaldiplomacy and project Pakistan’s soft power.
One of the highlights of Sunday evening was an animated conversation withthe two-time Oscar-winner Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, who discussed her futuredocumentary projects. The film-maker revealed an upcoming film about Lahoreactivist Syed Ghulam Fatima, who is tenaciously fighting for the rights ofmen, women and children working at brick kilns in poor conditions.
Another documentary is about women being trained in counter-terrorismoperations in Nowshera, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. In addition, Obaid-Chinoy saidshe is working on *Home 1947* – a documentary on the impact of partition onmigrating populations.
The event was conducted by Rachel Cooper, director for Global PerformingArts and Special Cultural Initiatives. It was rounded off with a stellarperformance by singer Zeb Bangash, who entertained the gathering with someof her chartbusters. Bangash is part of the first generation of Pakistanimusicians to have established themselves internationally.
Since assuming charge as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UN,Ambassador Lodhi has undertaken several cultural projects and organised aseries of events to promote Pakistan’s image and highlight its modern andvibrant culture, as well its ancient roots.
“Cultural diplomacy is a vital part of any diplomat’s job, which is aimedat winning hearts and minds,” she said, adding Pakistan has much to offerin this regard and that it is a diplomat’s responsibility is to ensure thatthis is projected in the international arena. – APP