They all have a patakha, a firecracker in them
Patakha Pictures celebrated eight young female filmmakers from Pakistan at an event hosted by the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi.
The event marked the culmination of Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s Patakha Pictures ‘Stories She Tells’ mentorship programme, highlighting women’s creative voices in filmmaking.
Celebrities, diplomats, and journalists attended the event, which also included trailers for four short films made during the six-month mentorship programme.
The filmmakers, representing cities such as Chitral, Lahore, Multan, and Quetta, worked in pairs under guidance from Dr Noe Mendelle of the Scottish Documentary Institute.
Chinoy opened the evening by speaking about the challenges female filmmakers face and the importance of creating opportunities for them.
She said: “They all have a patakha, a firecracker in them, they want to tell their stories, all they don’t have is the infrastructure.”
The two-time Oscar winner explained that Patakha Pictures takes participants from ideation to post-production, while also providing media training and festival guidance.
Chinoy highlighted that 69 mentees from previous programmes have screened films at over 50 festivals internationally, winning dozens of awards and recognitions.
The filmmakers then presented the trailers for their respective projects, each story exploring different aspects of women’s lives in Pakistan.
One pair showcased a film about a woman mastering a sacred instrument at Bhit Shah, emphasising the preservation of cultural traditions.
Another duo presented a film that focused on women in Balochistan, addressing social justice challenges and advocating for systemic reform in their communities.
The third pair highlighted a transgender noha performer in Lahore, exploring intersections of gender, religion, and artistic expression in society.
The final film portrayed a South Punjab theatre performer at the end of her career, examining themes of ageing, isolation, and the male-dominated entertainment space.
Dr Noe Mendelle praised the mentorship programme for helping participants gain a grassroots understanding of Pakistan through real-life storytelling experiences.
She said: “It’s not about showing extraordinary stories.
“It’s showing the reality, which allows audiences to understand the true identity of Pakistan.”
Chinoy interacted with each filmmaking team on stage, discussing the creative process and the unique challenges they overcame during production.
The audience witnessed how these young women transformed ideas into compelling narratives that combine technical skill with authentic storytelling.
Charles Goodman, the US Consul-General in Karachi, emphasised the importance of supporting young creatives, especially women, to help their voices reach wider audiences.
He also acknowledged the programme’s success, noting that previous mentees had not only achieved recognition but had strengthened the overall Pakistani filmmaking ecosystem.
The evening concluded with applause for all participants, celebrating both their achievements and the continued growth of women-led storytelling in Pakistan.
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