‘The Clown’ wins big at London Indian Film Fest

Kamil Chima’s short film tells the story of a woman challenging patriarchy

The Clown has secured the prestigious Satyajit Ray Award for Best Short Film at the London Indian Film Festival. The film, directed by Kamil Chima, was the sole Pakistani entry in the competition, highlighting its exceptional achievement.

Kamil Chima, known for his work on Laal Kabootar and The Queen of My Dreams, tells the poignant story of Minahil, a woman who breaks free from her nightly confinement by her husband to transform into a clown and dance outside a fast-food restaurant. The film stars Farheen Raza Jaffry, Sheherzade Peerzada, Adeel Afzal, and Muhammad Saeed Cheema.

Kamil Chima shared his excitement and gratitude on Instagram: “Our little film won a big big award! The Clown won the Satyajit Ray Award for Best Short Film at the London Indian Film Festival… This was truly a labour of love and this win is both exciting and humbling. It took a village to make this film.”

He continued, “I am grateful to the entire crew that came together to help bring this vision to life, and help reveal a story about a character that stays hidden in plain sight.”

Chima also praised his cast: “And finally the brilliant cast Muhammad Saeed Cheema and Farheen Raza Jaffry in stellar debut performances (no one would know any different). Sheherzade Peerzada with her magnetic charm and Adeel Afzal with his steady hand that helped steer the ship.” He concluded with a heartfelt message, “To all the clowns in my city, more freedom to you!”

Last year, Chima’s cross-cultural comedic drama The Queen of My Dreams debuted at the renowned Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film is the outcome of a distinctive collaboration across borders, uniting Pakistani producers Kamil Chima and Carol Noronha with their Canadian counterparts Jason Levangie, Marc Tetreault, and Andria Wilson Mirza.

Directed and scripted by Fawzia Mirza, the film offers a poignant and lively storyline. The narrative centres around Azra, a Pakistani woman who resides in Toronto and finds herself at odds with the conservative principles upheld by her mother.

The untimely passing of her father during a trip to Pakistan becomes the driving force behind Azra’s expedition through a blend of factual and imagined memories. Her journey spans from her mother’s youthful experiences in Karachi to Azra’s own developmental years in rural Canada, infused with elements reminiscent of Bollywood cinema.