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    Pakistan's First 'Women International Film Festival' Held at PNCA

    First Women International Film Festival Held at PNCA

    Written by: Shameen Arshad
    Posted on: March 13, 2017 |

    The Women International Film Festival at PNCA, Islamabad

    There are very few places where we can openly and honestly talk about what it means to be a woman – discuss their needs, their contributions to society, and most importantly, create awareness about the crimes that are committed against them. The Women International Film Festival (WIFF), in its first year of running, has managed to turn many heads as it brings into focus the role of a woman, through a collection of narratives woven by the fairer sex themselves. The festival took place at the PNCA in Islamabad on the 11th and 12th of March, 2017, and was organized by ‘Women Through Film’, an initiative that aims to empower women and portray them in a positive light through filmmaking and powerful storytelling. The festival addressed social issues such as gender disparity in a patriarchal society, and highlighted the contributions of women not only in the media, but in shaping society as a whole.

    It is not uncommon for events of this nature to be dismissed as “feminist agenda” and “rants of a group of angry women”. Surprisingly, however, the festival was endorsed by a large crowd from the twin cities, with participation from women as well as men. The event kicked off with the screening of 17 films by female filmmakers from different countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Nigeria and Mexico. The selection included short films, documentaries, public service messages and animated films addressing violence against women and gender inequality, as well as inspirational tales of women who have shown immense resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

     

    Ashique Mostafa’s film ‘Statement After My Poet Husband’s Death’, which won the 1st prize granted by a distinguished jury, is the tale of a widow who feels a strange sense of elation and independence after her husband’s death. The film takes us through the journey of a woman who faces emotional abuse and neglect as she spends her days trapped in a loveless marriage. Although delivered as a personal narrative, the theme of the film rings true and is indicative of several such lives that are wasted in stifling marriages.

    Some of the most effective narrations were only one minute long. Shikha Janet Alagh’s film ‘Deaf Ears’ reflected on one of the biggest problems prevalent in our society – turning a deaf ear to the enormities committed against women within the privacy of our own homes. The filmmaker makes an ingenious comparison of a lifeless piece of meat to a woman who is helpless against the physical abuse that she encounters at home. The grotesque process of preparing chicken for a meal is likened to the cannibalistic nature of certain men and the proliferating rape culture. The film is instrumental in highlighting the detrimental act of staying quiescent despite being aware of social injustices, which make not only public places unsafe for women, but also their own homes.

     

    Samreen Ghauri’s documentary, The Darker Side of Glittering Bangles, is based on the bangle industry in Hyderabad. The film takes us through the lives of the female workers who are subjected to dangerous working environments for several hours of the day in the quest for minimum wages. The film highlights the exploitation of the workforce that is not receiving enough compensation for their hazardous jobs, consequently resulting in girls abandoning their education to make ends meet.

    The collection of films also included Sangeeta Nambiar’s documentation of the inspirational story of Rahayu Rahmat, a former sex worker who turned her life around and subsequently that of others who have been forced into the trade by circumstance. This story served to highlight that the plight of women as depicted by the female protagonists is of a universal nature, rather than being confined to a particular geographical location.

    First Women International Film Festival Held at PNCA Islamabad: Jamal Shah was among the panelists at the festival

    Jamal Shah was among the panelists at the festival

    The festival also included two panel discussions with a number of prominent figures, namely Jamal Shah (acclaimed actor, director and social activist), Naima Ansari (filmmaker and entrepreneur), Sadaf Raza (gender specialist, women rights activist and writer), Haroon Rashid  (renowned singer, director, producer, social activist, and creator of Burka Avenger), Halima Tariq (lawyer, documentary filmmaker and global outreach coordinator for ‘ConnectHer’), Mishi Khan (popular TV actress and host) and Shamoon Hashmi (documentary maker, anchorperson and literary activist). The panelists presented their views on the role and position of women in the media today, their stereotypical depiction on the screen, as well as the changes that need to be brought about to revolutionize the industry.

    First Women International Film Festival Held at PNCA Islamabad

    Talented musician and creator of 'Burka Avenger', Haroon Rashid was also among the panelists

    The Women International Film Festival proved to be a brave initiative that provided a platform to showcase the work of female filmmakers, who, according to Jamal Shah, still face discrimination and are not granted proper recognition amongst their contemporaries. One can hope that the festival will return next year and will set a precedent for other such courageous ventures in the future.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021