On the international front, Pakistani cinema is making an undeniably strong impact. The slow yet steady resurgence of the industry is finally being recognized on the global stage. After years of struggle, Pakistani films are gaining the commercial and critical recognition they deserve.
Deemak and Nayab have won top honors at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival 2025. The five-day festival in Yangzhou, China, became a landmark moment for Pakistani films.
Deemak, a psychological horror film directed by Rafay Rashdi, took home the Best Editing Award. The film has already made historic business at the box office cementing itself as the most commercially and critically acclaimed horror movie to emerge from Pakistan.
Deemak director Rafay Rashdi took to Instagram to announce the film’s prestigious win at the SCO Film Festival. In his post he added, “Grateful to the @scosectsco_org, the Government of Pakistan, and the Ministry of Information for their support and recognition. Pakistani cinema continues to rise! 🎬✨”
Actor Sonya Hussyn who played the role of ‘Hiba’ in the film was also in attendance along with Rashdi. After the historic win, she posted a selfie with the award deeming their win “a proud moment for Pakistan.” And it absolutely is!
Written by Ayesha Muzzafar, starring Sonya Hussyn, Samina Peerzada, and Faysal Quraishi, Deemak is proof that Pakistani cinema can deliver on both entertainment and quality.
Meanwhile, Nayab, directed by Umair Nasir Ali and written by Ali Abbasi Naqvi and Basit Naqvi, captivated audiences at the festival with its heartwarming and inspiring story of a middle-class girl’s dreams of succeeding in the competitive, male-dominated world of cricket.
The film stars Yumna Zaidi. Photo: File
Starring Yumna Zaidi and Usama Khan, Nayab won the Special Jury Award and was selected as the winner out of 19 other films.
Director Umair Nasir Ali shared his joy on Instagram, saying, "This is a proud and emotional moment for Pakistani cinema. Thank you to every single person who has been part of Nayab’s journey. This belongs to all of you."
He also expressed hope for increased collaboration, adding, "I hope this win and our participation help open more doors for collaboration between filmmakers from Pakistan, China, and other SCO countries, so that our stories continue to travel, connect, and inspire across borders."
Here's to a brighter future for the Pakistani film industry!
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