"WIFF has always been about amplifying women's voices."
The 10th edition of the Women International Film Festival opened in Lahore, Pakistan.
Held over two days, the festival attracted an unprecedented crowd of filmmakers, students, artists and independent cinema enthusiasts.
WIFF X is took place from February 14 to 15, 2026, at the Olympolo Theatre Head Office.
The Lahore screenings ran alongside the Islamabad edition, which had been organised continuously for the past decade.
Organisers described the turnout as the city’s strongest engagement yet with independent cinema and contemporary artistic practice.
This year’s programme featured women-led short and feature films selected from a competitive international pool.
Nine films premiered on opening day, while a total of 23 films were scheduled overall.
The Lahore edition is produced by Bilqul, led by British Pakistani filmmaker Annusheh Rahim, who was present opening day events.
She said: “WIFF has always been about amplifying women’s voices in cinema.”
“Bringing the festival to Lahore was important because of the city’s cultural significance and strong artistic community.”
Rahim explained that the festival prioritises dialogue, learning and visibility rather than competition or rigid thematic frameworks.
“There is no single theme this year because women’s experiences are diverse and should never be boxed.”
Films at WIFF X ranged between five and twenty-five minutes and explored identity, resilience and personal freedom.
The selection included women directors from Pakistan, Iran, South Korea, Europe and several other regions across the world.
Panel discussions and question sessions addressed representation, censorship, funding barriers and gendered challenges within filmmaking industries.
A major highlight in Lahore was a conversation with Zenith Irfan, known for challenging gendered mobility norms.
She discussed her feature film Motorcycle Girl and reflected on storytelling as resistance within Pakistani society today.
“These films show that women’s stories matter and filmmaking is not limited to one gender.”
She noted that festivals like WIFF X give students confidence to pursue creative careers seriously nationwide today.
The festival atmosphere expanded beyond screenings through a dance performance by Manal Amer Khan appreciated by attendees.
Food stalls and a creatives networking mixer encouraged informal exchange between emerging artists and established professionals.
Organisers believe the Lahore presence will strengthen independent cinema by linking audiences with filmmakers across Pakistan sustainably.
With strong attendance, the Women International Film Festival is being seen as a vital cultural addition to Lahore’s evolving arts scene.
The festival is the flagship initiative of Women Through Film, founded in Islamabad by Madeeha Raza.
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