NASF festival to highlight amateur film-makers of Pakistan
The first National Amateur Short Film Festival (NASFF) is being organised to provide an opportunity to young film-makers from across the country. The winners of the competition will be awarded prestigious scholarships in film schools across the globe.
According to the festival’s official website, NASFF has been conceived to accrue local talent willing to produce high quality short films projecting the ‘real’ image of Pakistan. The festival, under the auspices of the ISPR, will test the students’ potential to re-imagine the country, with the finale being held in April 2021.
Elaborating on the vision and prospects of the festival, Majid Saeed, a film-maker and professor at the National College of Arts (NCA), told The Express Tribune, “The reason for initiating this festival is to project a positive image of Pakistan on the global map.”
Saeed, who’s also part of the organising team, explained how the festival aims to highlight the diversity and richness of our culture. “Such informative festivals also play a vital role in providing a productive platform to the young talent of our country,” he added.
He went on to assure that the winners of this festival are bound to get a chance to study in world's renowned film schools as an acknowledgement for their work. “This will boost their passion and motivate them to work hard in the field of film, both locally and internationally,” he continued.
“Unfortunately Pakistan is misrepresented in the global media and its image needs to be ameliorated so its potential can be realised,” Saeed said. He continued to assure that if Pakistan's generosity, hospitality, culture, historical and natural sites are brought to the knowledge of the people around the globe, then it will benefit several within the country.
The faces of NASFF
The ambassadorship of NASFF is being helmed by a stary line-up in its own accord. Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan, Gulsher Khan, Bilal Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Wahaj Ali, Zara Noor Abbas, Farhan Saeed and Ayub Khosa have announced their affiliation with the festival.
“Glad to be the Karachi's brand ambassador for the National Amateur Short Film Festival,” wrote the Meray Paas Tum Ho actor. “Kudos to #NASFF for recognising and developing the proficiency of ambitious film-makers across Pakistan! If you have the knack for films and television and want to produce some quality content then this is your stepping stone,” he assured.