Faraz Waqar, a young Pakistani film-maker who graduated from the New York Film Academy, Abu Dhabi, has been selected to show his thesis film 9:11 am at the Festival de Cannes 2012 Short Films Corner this year, according to a press release.
“My graduation thesis film 9:11 am was submitted to a select list of international film festivals and I am very happy to say that it has been selected for its world premiere at the Festival de Cannes 2012 Short Films Corner,” he confirmed.
Waqar considers Shoaib Mansoor — the mastermind behind films like Khuda Ke Liye and Bol — his main inspiration and adds that studying film and working in the industry has always been a dream. “Reviving the film industry in my own country and making films addressing the various social and political issues facing the Middle East and South Asia has always been my goal,” says Waqar.
However, the pressure for financial success and lack of support from his family forced Waqar to study Business Management instead of film-making. He spent 12 years working in the corporate world as a banker in the Middle East but never let his dream of becoming a film-maker die. “After achieving a fair degree of success in my business career and achieving financial independence, I was in a position to finally pursue my dream and passion.”
When asked about his perspective on screenings at film festivals, Waqar said, “Recognition at quality film festivals adds a lot of credibility to a new film-maker’s profile. It gives one confidence. Recognition at a major festival immediately brings you into the spotlight, especially in a market where film-making is still in a nascent stage.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2012.
COMMENTS (6)
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I am surprised there are no posts so far that are negative except @yasir ali, who has such a pathetic opinion of Pakistani creativity that he sadly concludes Waqar is incapable to receive thins award.
That is a very clever tactic to get western media international attention. For your career it is a great move, I hope it opens doors for this film-maker and then he can make more entertaining films.
no one will give awrd thn
Great :)
Congratulations!
But it would be nice if we could make films that weren't so influenced by 911, terrorists etc and highlighted otehr Pak issues as well... it seems our whole country is obsessed by this when in actual fact we have so much other stuff going on too which is also of interest!
Congratulations!