Documentaries on Sabeen Mahmud, Sheema Kirmani win big at SAFFM

Jawad Sharif's Indus Blues also bagged an accolade at Montreal's South Asian Film Festival

Three Pakistani documentaries have won big at the South Asian Film Festival of Montreal (SAFFM). Short films on T2F founder Sabeen Mahmud, celebrated dancer Sheema Kirmani and Indus Blues were awarded prizes at an event held in the Canadian city.

After Sabeen, a documentary surrounding the lives of those who were dear to the slain activist, won Director's Choice Award for Courage in Cinema. But German film-maker Schokofeh Kamiz, the man behind the documentary, had interestingly never met Mahmud.

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“I never met Sabeen. The first time I heard about her was the day she was killed and that's also how the film starts. I wanted to convey both my fascination of her and my attempt to understand this impressive woman who cared about everyone, especially the youth,” Kamiz told Firstpost.

Taimur Rahim's With Bells On Her Feet highlights Kirmani's struggle during the Ziaul Haq regime. It bagged two accolades: Best Short Fil and the Audience Choice.

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"For me, there is a direct relation between dance and liberation," Kirmani says in the film. "When a woman stands to dance, what she's saying is, 'Here I am. I'm not ashamed of my body. I'm confident and I cannot fear you'."

The classical dancer takes the audience on her 'lonely' journey during the Zia era. "What keeps me going is that future generations will embrace dance. Not just as an art form but as a means to achieve peace, humility and purity."

Indus Blues is unique for raising awareness about disappearing folk instruments in Pakistan, as well as the plight of folk and classical musicians and craftsmen.

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It won Jury Award for Best Feature documentary. The short film, directed by Jawad Sharif, has previously received the Gold Award at the Spotlight Documentary Awards Festival and Best Documentary Feature at Top Indie Film Awards Festival. Earlier, it won the Grand Jury Prize at the Crystal Awards at Guam International Film Festival in the United States and an accolade at India's Jaipur Film Fest.

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