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Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy Celebrates The 10 Patakha Filmmakers For “Her Earth Advocates” In Karachi

by Press Release
written by Press Release

Two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, proudly celebrated the successful conclusion of the fourth iteration of Pakistan’s largest filmmaking grant and mentorship program Patakha Pictures, “Her Earth Advocates,” featuring ten filmmakers from across Pakistan.

This seven-month program, “Her Earth Advocates,” started in April 2024. It focused on the central themes of climate change and women’s empowerment in Pakistan and was funded by the United States Institute of Peace.

Over the past several months, ten aspiring filmmakers came together – Maira Pasha & Shifa Rajput, Nadia Zartaj & Nagina Jabeen, Natasha Javed & Nirmal Bano, Sabika Noor Ali & Namrah Sikander, Saro Imran & Zareen Rajpoot – and participated in an intensive online mentorship series with Patakha Pictures’ international mentor, Sundance Award-Winning documentary filmmaker Jesse Ericka Epstein, concluding with an in-person editing and closing event in Karachi.

Her Earth Advocates

This collaboration resulted in five short documentary films which offer unique perspectives on the environmental challenges faced by communities in Pakistan.

The closing event celebrating the completion of the program, took place in Karachi. The Fellows showcased their work and were celebrated for their determination to tackle climate change issues.

In attendance were two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Sarwat Gillani [who also hosted a panel discussion with Jesse Ericka Epstein and Patakha Pictures fellows], Mehwish Hayat, Syra Yousuf, Saqib Malik, Ali Hamza, Samina Ahmed, Kompal Iqbal, Sheema Kermani, Alycia Dias, Amean J., Sania Maskatiya, Safinaz Muneer, Maheen Khan, and Fahad Mirza, to name a few, along with mentor Jesse Ericka Epstein, who shared valuable insights with the participants.

This event also served as a platform for fellows to discuss their projects, sharing glimpses into the creative process behind their films—a powerful testament to the talent nurtured through “Her Earth Advocates”.

“I’m proud of all the talented filmmakers from our ‘Her Earth Advocates’ cohort, whose poignant films have brought urgent climate issues to light in Pakistan. We are very grateful for the generous support from the USIP and the inspiring guidance of our mentor, Jesse Epstein. I can’t wait to see where these Patakha Pictures fellows head to next as they lead the way toward creating a more inclusive film ecosystem in Pakistan.”  said Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Founder of Patakha Pictures. 

Since its launch in 2022, Patakha Pictures’ mentorship programs have funded forty filmmakers who have created twenty-one films, garnering twenty-seven local and international awards. These films have been screened at over fifty international film festivals worldwide.

PATAKHA PICTURES is an initiative of SOC Films.

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SOC Films
Lifestyle

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Launches Mentorship Program for Emerging Filmmakers in KP

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Patakha Pictures, spearheaded by two-time Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, has announced a mentorship program, Frame by Frame, for emerging filmmakers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its Newly Merged Districts, namely Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan and Khyber Districts.

The program aims to equip the youth with the materials and training they can use to create their own short documentary films.

Patakha Pictures was launched to empower and support a new generation of storytellers from Pakistan. By providing mentorship and funding, the Patakha Pictures’ programs encourage the youth to create short documentary films that shed light on important issues and resonate with the wider audience.

With three successful cycles of such programs already under its belt, and one currently underway, this will be the fifth of its kind to be launched. This is also the first program to be offered specifically for youth in the Newly Merged Districts, namely Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan and Khyber Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is open to both men and women.

For the Frame by Frame program, for which applications will open on 15th October, 10 filmmakers from Newly Merged Districts will be paired with 10 filmmakers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to create 10 short documentaries. As part of the mentorship process, Patakha Pictures will bring one international and one Pakistani mentor on board to nurture and develop the program fellows’ storytelling skills, enabling them to pique the interest of local and international audiences.

“As a filmmaker myself, I’ve seen the lack of representation for voices from the Newly Merged Districts in our mainstream media. That’s why this mentorship and funding grant cycle from Patakha Pictures is absolutely critical, since we want to provide a vital platform for 10 aspiring filmmakers from these districts paired with 10 filmmakers from the rest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to share their stories in their own words and on their home ground. Our exceptional mentors will of course be offering essential support and guidance throughout the year-long filmmaking process as our final selected fellows complete their films,” said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Founder Patakha Pictures.

Interested filmmakers (all genders), between the ages of 18 and 29, domiciled in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its Newly Merged Districts, namely Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan and Khyber Districts are welcome to apply for this program at:

https://patakhapictures.com/index.php/frame-by-frame/

Applications are open from 15th October to 5th November and workshops will commence in November 2023.

The program is scheduled to begin in November 2023 until October 2024 with online workshops at least twice a month. The workshops will combine sessions with our international and Pakistani mentors and occasional in-person check-ins with the teams.

Mentorship sessions will include, but not be limited to, storytelling, developing narratives, character development, direction, sound designing, and editing, followed by a celebratory closing event in Karachi to officially launch the completed films in October 2024.

Patakha Pictures, spearheaded by two-time Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, has announced a mentorship program, Frame by Frame, for emerging filmmakers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its Newly Merged Districts, namely Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan and Khyber Districts. The program aims to equip the youth with the materials and training they can use to create their own short documentary films.

Patakha Pictures was launched to empower and support a new generation of storytellers from Pakistan. By providing mentorship and funding, the Patakha Pictures’ programs encourage the youth to create short documentary films that shed light on important issues and resonate with the wider audience.

With three successful cycles of such programs already under its belt, and one currently underway, this will be the fifth of its kind to be launched. This is also the first program to be offered specifically for youth in the Newly Merged Districts, namely Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan and Khyber Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is open to both men and women.

For the Frame by Frame program, for which applications will open on 15th October, 10 filmmakers from Newly Merged Districts will be paired with 10 filmmakers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to create 10 short documentaries. As part of the mentorship process, Patakha Pictures will bring one international and one Pakistani mentor on board to nurture and develop the program fellows’ storytelling skills, enabling them to pique the interest of local and international audiences.

“As a filmmaker myself, I’ve seen the lack of representation for voices from the Newly Merged Districts in our mainstream media. That’s why this mentorship and funding grant cycle from Patakha Pictures is absolutely critical, since we want to provide a vital platform for 10 aspiring filmmakers from these districts paired with 10 filmmakers from the rest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to share their stories in their own words and on their home ground. Our exceptional mentors will of course be offering essential support and guidance throughout the year-long filmmaking process as our final selected fellows complete their films,” said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Founder Patakha Pictures.

Interested filmmakers (all genders), between the ages of 18 and 29, domiciled in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its Newly Merged Districts, namely Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan and Khyber Districts are welcome to apply for this program at:

https://patakhapictures.com/index.php/frame-by-frame/

Applications are open from 15th October to 5th November and workshops will commence in November 2023.

The program is scheduled to begin in November 2023 until October 2024 with online workshops at least twice a month. The workshops will combine sessions with our international and Pakistani mentors and occasional in-person check-ins with the teams.

Mentorship sessions will include, but not be limited to, storytelling, developing narratives, character development, direction, sound designing, and editing, followed by a celebratory closing event in Karachi to officially launch the completed films in October 2024.

PATAKHA PICTURES is an initiative of SOC Films.

For more information, and to apply, please visit www.patakhapictures.com and https://www.instagram.com/patakha_pictures/ 

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star wars
CelebritiesFeatured

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy Becomes First Woman, Person of Colour to Direct Star Wars Movie

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

It’s confirmed. Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy has officially become the first woman, and coloured person to direct a Star Wars film. This news was verified through her official social media channels.

The post read:

”At a celebration in London today, it was announced that Sharmeen will be directing the next Star Wars movie. This is a historic moment for Pakistan and for all Star Wars fans around the world, as Sharmeen becomes the first woman and person of colour to direct a Star War Film.

“With her unparalleled talent and creativity, we know she is going to bring a fresh and exciting perspective to the Star Wars universe. May the force be with Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy as she embarks on this incredible journey,

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy

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Sharmeen-Obaid Chinoy
Food

Sharmeen-Obaid Chinoy to Launch ‘Museum of Food’

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

The 2-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen-Obaid Chinoy is all to launch the ‘Museum of Food’ in Pakistan. The aim of this project is to preserve Pakistan’s authentic and diverse food culture.

For the past 3-years, Sharmeen-Obain Chinoy’s production house SOC Films, that has been working day and night to document and record important food stories from across Pakistan.

The ‘Museum of Food’ initiative will be an online warehouse featuring spellbound stories from all walks of life.

Pakistan’s Rich Food Culture

Pakistan’s food culture is as diverse as the country itself. With its rich history and geographical location, the cuisine of Pakistan reflects a blend of different culinary traditions. Pakistani cuisine is known for its spices, herbs, and unique flavours that make it distinct from the rest of the world.

One of the most significant influences on Pakistani food culture is the Mughal empire. The Mughals brought with them a rich culinary tradition that included dishes like biryani, kebabs, and korma. These dishes are still popular in Pakistan today and are often served on special occasions and celebrations.

Another significant influence on Pakistani food culture is the country’s location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. This has resulted in a fusion of flavours and spices from these regions, making Pakistani cuisine unique and diverse.

Pakistani cuisine is characterized by its use of spices and herbs. Some of the most commonly used spices include cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chilli powder. These spices are often used in combination with each other to create complex and rich flavours.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Announces Launch of ‘Neela Asmaan’ Int. Artist Residency Program

One of the most popular dishes in Pakistan is biryani. Biryani is a rice dish that is often prepared with meat, vegetables, and spices. It is typically served at weddings and other special occasions and is considered a staple of Pakistani cuisine.

Another popular dish is kebab. Kebabs are skewered meats that are marinated in a blend of spices and grilled over an open flame. They are often served with naan bread and a side of chutney.

Pakistani cuisine also includes a variety of vegetarian dishes. One of the most popular vegetarian dishes is chana masala, which is made with chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, and a blend of spices. It is often served with rice or naan bread.

Pakistani desserts are also an essential part of the country’s food culture. Some of the most popular desserts include gulab jamun, which is a sweet, fried dough ball soaked in syrup, and ras malai, which is a milk-based dessert that is flavoured with cardamom and saffron.

In addition to its rich culinary tradition, Pakistani food culture is also characterized by its hospitality. It is considered rude to decline an offer of food, and guests are often served multiple courses and generous portions.

About Sharmeen-Obaid Chinoy

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is a Pakistani-Canadian journalist, filmmaker and activist known for her work in films that highlight the inequality for women. Obaid-Chinoy received her bachelor’s degree in economics and government from Smith College and went on to earn two master’s degrees from Stanford University.

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy May Direct The Next Star Wars Film

What are your thoughts on this project? Share them with us in the comments below.

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Neela Asmaan SOC
Lifestyle

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Announces Launch of ‘Neela Asmaan’ Int. Artist Residency Program

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a renowned Pakistani documentary filmmaker, has announced the launch of Neela Asmaan, an international artist residency program aimed at fostering creativity, promoting cross-cultural exchange, and advancing the cause of women’s rights and gender equality.

Neela Asmaan – The Need of the Hour

Neela Asmaan will provide a supportive and inspiring environment for artists from around the world to pursue their creative projects and engage with local communities in Pakistan. The residency program will be based in Shigar Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan and will offer artists the opportunity to work in a variety of mediums, including film, photography, painting, writing, and music.

According to Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the goal of Neela Asmaan is to provide a platform for artists to create new work, share their perspectives and experiences, and build bridges between cultures. “Art has the power to bring people together and to promote understanding and empathy,” she said. “With Neela Asmaan, we hope to create a space where artists from different backgrounds can come together, collaborate, and create works that reflect their shared experiences and perspectives.”

Pakistani Artist Iman Sara Is The First to Use Mughal Miniatures in Fine Line Tattooing

The residency program will also provide opportunities for artists to engage with local communities and learn about the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Pakistan. “Artists will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture, to work with local artists and communities, and to gain a deeper understanding of the country and its people,” said Obaid-Chinoy.

The launch of Neela Asmaan is a significant milestone in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s efforts to promote women’s rights and gender equality through the power of art and creativity. Over the years, Obaid-Chinoy has established herself as a leading voice for the cause, using her films and other works to shed light on the challenges facing women and girls in Pakistan and around the world.

About Neela Asmaan

According to Dawn, Neela Asmaan will transport artists to the Shigar valley in Gilgit-Baltistan and offer them an opportunity to make art, taking inspiration from their picturesque surroundings.

The residency programme is open to writers, photographers, philosophers, architects, climate change warriors, visual artists, and design practitioners. It will provide private bedrooms and shared spaces that double as studio spaces, as well as a stipend of up to Rs 100,000.

Applicants must have a clear vision for their project and produce a Statement of Intent to convey this. The residency offers a stay of 2-4 weeks. Residents will be paired with a mentor during the program, to provide them with meaningful feedback and hone their creative skills.

“Neela Asmaan is a unique opportunity for artists to refocus and create original works in a supportive and nurturing environment,” said Obaid-Chinoy, founder of SOC Films. “We’re excited to bring this programme to life and support the next generation of talented artists.”

Applications for the first cycle of the Neela Asmaan will be accepted starting February 15th with a deadline of March 15th.

Stay tuned to WOW360.

Meet Ayesha Kamal: An Outstanding Calligraphy Artist from Pakistan

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Culture

SOC Films’ Documentary Series, Fundamental. Gender Justice. No Exceptions Nominated for Emmy Awards

by Laiba
written by Laiba

Pakistani Oscar-winning filmmaker, journalist, and activist Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy‘s film production house SOC Films has been nominated in two categories at the prestigious 48th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards for its global documentary series Fundamental: Gender Justice. No Exceptions

The news was announced by Sharmeen herself on social media. She said in a caption on Instagram, “Super excited to announce that SOC Films @soc_films has been nominated for Two DayTime Emmy Awards for our global series, “FUNDAMENTAL. GENDER JUSTICE. NO EXCEPTIONS”. Proud of the team and wish us good luck!”

What is the Documentary Series About?

Sharmeen introduced the documentary to her audience. She said,  “Fundamental. Gender Justice. No Exceptions is a global series filmed in five countries, advocating for women who champion other women.”

She then added, ” It has been nominated in the categories of OUTSTANDING SHORT FORM DAYTIME NON-FICTION PROGRAM and OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A SINGLE CAMERA DAYTIME NON-FICTION PROGRAM.”

The five-episode documentary was shot in Brazil, Georgia, Kenya, the USA, and Pakistan, produced by Safyah Zafar Usmani and Shahrukh Waheed. Sharmeen herself directed the series.  The documentary is a collaboration between SOC Films and Global Fund for Women. 

The documentary follows gender justice activists from the countries mentioned above who obstruct the status quo by creating safe spaces for other women and girls. Their plan also is to do the same for historically marginalized people and communities globally. These leaders are inspiring not only to those in their societies but also worldwide.

The crew of the FUNDAMENTAL

The FUNDAMENTAL production crew includes Faizan Ali and Nadir Siddiqui as DoP, Cameraperson Khurram Victor, Editors and Colorists Husain Qaizer and Sourath Behan, Editors Mishaal Adhami and Anas Ahmed, Sound Design by Sameer Khan, Project Manager Huma Shah, Color Correction of Photography by Murtaza Ali and Line Production by Syed Ayub.

Original Music by Taha Malik with Cameraperson Salome Sagaradze for Georgia and Associate Producers Maureen Wanjiku for Kenya, Nino Isakadze for Georgia, and Julia Main for the USA.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Featured on Asia Tatler’s 18 Best Asian Directors List 2021. Read the full story here:

Pakistani Oscar-winning filmmaker, journalist, and activist Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has been featured on Asia Tatler’s Best Asian Directors list. Obaid stood at the sixteenth spot, being the only Pakistani on the list. On the first spot stood Joon-Ho for Parasite, the first South Korean film to win Best International Feature Film and Best Picture at the Oscars in 2020, garnering fame worldwide.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Featured on Asia Tatler’s 18 Best Asian Directors List 2021

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For more news and updates, stay tuned to Wow 360.

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