The final award distribution ceremony of NAQSH Digital Film Festival, a nationwide event to showcase short films and documentaries created by students, amateurs and emerging professionals, was held at New Auditorium of Fatima Jinnah Women University today.
A galaxy of stars of Pakistani media industry from acting to film production and from legendary camera professionals to direction graced the occasion including Shahzad Nawaz, Noor ul Hassan, Ahmer Sohail Basra, Memoona Qudoos, Pervaiz Akhtar, Hajra Yamin, Ejaz Gul, Nargis Hashmi, Aqeel Shah, Syed Farooq Hassan, Diplomats form US Embassy, representatives from advertising agencies and production houses were present at the ceremony. Veteran actor Jamal Shah was chief guest at the occasion.
‘Taana Baana’, a documentary on fading chair caning industry of Pakistan by Hamza Farooq won the award for best documentary in professional category. ‘Main Malangi’ by Ahmad Abbass won the award for best documentary in student category. In the category of short films, ‘Don’t be afraid, Jiya’ by Hamza Baig secured first position for best short film in professional category and ‘Onus’ by Abu Bakar won the best short film award in student category. Cash prizes were also given to the winners of the competition.
While addressing the occasion, chief guest Jamal Shah said that Pakistan is full of beautiful imprints that needed to be shown to the world. He added that it was up to the youth of Pakistan in general and young film makers in particular to highlight the beautiful face of the country. He praised the department of Communication and Media Studies (CMS) of Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) which organized NDFF. He also added such events were much needed to provide a competitive opportunity to Pakistani youth to nurture and transform their innovative ideas into digital media content. He said it was the start of long journey of reviving art and culture industry of Pakistan. He thanked Fatima Jinnah Women University for the initiative.
Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), Dr. Saima Hamid expressed her views that FJWU is the leading institute which is following the new trends especially during and after the COVID pandemic. Events like NDFF are crucial for implementing the goal of women empowerment which is in line with the vision of Fatima Jinnah Women University. She added it was high time that the youth of Pakistan be provided alternate avenues to showcase their talents in digital film making. She also said that initiation of NDFF by the CMS department in collaboration with RIME Digital is such venture which show FJWU’s vision to collaborate with industry as linkages between academia and industry is very important. These linkages ensure constant supply of skilled and talented youth for uplifting of any industry. She congratulated all the winners of the NDFF 2022 and also encouraged the participants to work harder to master their skills.
Director Naqsh Digital Film Festival and the Head of CMS department, Dr. Muhammad Ali, was of the view that it is the vision of the CMS department to provide such platforms to the students where they can learn and experience the practical aspects of the production, which ultimately lead towards creating the skilled workforce for the media industry. He also informed about launch of the BS-Film Productions 4 year’s degree from CMS department and of the view that such festivals be very fruitful in enhancing the exposure of the students of FJWU. Dr. Ali also informed the esteemed audience that CMS department of FJWU will conduct the festival on annual bases.
