FocusPk16: Time to take showbiz seriously

Atiqa Odho to spearhead two-day conference on films, television, theatre, print and other forms of media in Pakistan

KARACHI: Atiqa Odho, veteran actor and the recently appointed chairperson of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Standing Committee on Production and Entertainment, is holding a two-day Production & Entertainment Conference, FocusPK16, on December 3 and 4. To be held at the Beach Luxury Hotel in Karachi, the conference will include sessions on film, TV, radio, theatre, print and digital media and provides an opportunity for the professionals and students to interact, learn and shape the future of the media industry.

Speaking with The Express Tribune, Odho said the lack of a neutral platform for dialogue in Pakistan motivated her towards the conference. “I have spent years in the business of production and entertainment and always felt there was a gap in communication amongst our trade partners,” she explained. “There has never been a neutral platform for professionals from our industry to meet and share dialogue so FocusPK16 is an initiative launched from this basic desire to bring people together.”

Odho hopes the conference will address various issues and help stakeholders develop better business practices in the long run. Interestingly, conferences aiming to talk about the industry rarely conclude with any resolutions or long-term plans. Asked how FocusPK16 will be any different, the actor said the FPCCI will release a working paper after the conference, with a compilation of highlighted views from each speaking session. “This paper shall not only help us resolve issues but also help our government understand the challenges we face and hopefully, plan better policies for the trade to flourish within.”

According to Odho, FocusPK shall be held annually so it would become a major space for people to network, communicate, and discover joint ventures and other hiring opportunities for creative and technical talent.

Among the many sessions in the conference, one will address the management of foreign content. In light of the current ban on Indian content, Odho shared that foreign material and syndication are two key areas that will be addressed as these are not managed well and are damaging our local industry. “Pakistan needs to follow other successful examples around the world when it comes to building bilateral relationships that are mutually beneficial. Major foreign exchange can be generated for the country through broadcast content sales worldwide,” she said. “Giving up our television and film screens to others and not having any form of exchange within their market has to be addressed by our government for many reasons, such as softening the image of our nation, financial benefits and growth of our valuable and talented human resource.”

Asked whether the conference is a step towards getting the local media circle industry under one roof, Odho said Pakistani cinema died a slow death back in the 80s due to poor dialogue amongst the stakeholders and lack of government interest. “We need to correct this by taking ourselves seriously first and then making others realise the potential of our trade sector.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2016.

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