Sharmeen’s Song of Lahore sails away with Audience Choice Award

The documentary, which focuses on the music community of Lahore, wins at London Indian Film Festival 2016

Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s ‘Song of Lahore’, a documentary focusing on the music community of Lahore, has won the Audience Choice Award at the prestigious London Indian Film Festival 2016.

“We are delighted that the documentary is resonating with audiences around the world. It is an ode to Pakistan’s rich musical heritage and we would like to dedicate this award to the Sachal orchestra,” said the filmmaker in a statement.



Until the late 1970s, Lahore’s music community was world-renowned for its music and talent. In 2004, Izzat Majeed founded Sachal Studios to create a space for traditional music in a nation that had rejected its musical roots.

The documentary, which was co-directed by Andy Schocken, turns the spotlight on Sachal Studios and charters the ensemble’s journey to reclaim the art that has lost its space in Pakistan’s narrowing cultural sphere.



‘Song of Lahore’ has previously made headlines in international film festivals including Heartland Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, IDFA Film Festival and Sydney Film Festival.