Two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has joined Afia Nathaniel's short film 'Don't Be Late, Myra' as executive producer, adding major weight to its campaign for the 98th Academy Awards, 'Variety' reported.
The film, which qualified for Oscar consideration following a strong festival run, reunites Nathaniel with Pakistani storytelling nearly a decade after her acclaimed debut 'Dukhtar' premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2014.
'Don't Be Late, Myra' follows 10-year-old Myra, played by Innayah Umer, who finds herself navigating Lahore's streets alone after missing her school ride.
Her journey home unfolds into a tense exploration of the dangers faced by children in public spaces.
Nathaniel, drawing on personal experiences as a survivor, confronts the pervasive issue of child harassment with raw honesty and empathy. "Myra's story is both urgent and real," Obaid-Chinoy told Variety.
"'Don't Be Late, Myra' gives voice to the fears every young girl knows too well, while celebrating the courage it takes to survive and to be heard. To stand behind this film is not only a responsibility, but a joy."
Obaid-Chinoy's support amplifies the film's global visibility. Beyond her two Oscars and two Emmys, she recently directed Marvel Studios' 'Ms. Marvel'.
The short has already collected accolades at the Bergen International Film Festival of New Jersey and the Montreal International Film Festival.
Other executive producers include Rohi Mirza Pandya of Box Office Guru Media and RASA Film Group, Rene Bastian (Transamerica), and Shrihari Sathe (Stay Awake) from Dialectic.
For Nathaniel, a Pakistani-American filmmaker, the short continues her legacy of purposeful storytelling. After 'Dukhtar' represented Pakistan at the Oscars and screened in over 20 countries, she went on to make history at NBC Universal as the first Pakistani-American woman to direct a US network drama through the Launch Female Forward initiative, helming episodes of 'Chicago Med'.
With Obaid-Chinoy's backing, 'Don't Be Late, Myra' is poised to make a powerful mark on this year's awards circuitbringing a story of survival, resilience, and courage from Lahore's streets to the global stage.
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