Heroes of Pakistan announces panel of judges

List of judges includes illustrious names from home and abroad.

KARACHI: At a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club last week, CEO of Green Card Capital — the investment company that has initiated film competition Heroes of Pakistan, along with US distributor Sound View Broadcasting — announced the names on the judging panel, as well as the late date of submission (December 31).

“Although I reside in another country, I still believe that the connection one has with his own country should always remain intact,” says US-based investment banker Abbas Hashmi, who is currently in Karachi.



Hashmi has invited aspiring film-makers to submit a video or short film — three to five minutes in duration — to showcase their heroes. The content should reflect a social cause, as well as a realistic and meaningful lesson.

“I had two things in mind when I launched this project. One was to unearth new talent based here in the country and second, to thank its mentors or elders by paying tribute to them through short films,” Hashmi added. “Though it is good to have heroes from political, sports or film background, one also needs real-life heroes who inspire normal young people.”

The judges include film-makers from home and abroad. The panel will include director Mehreen Jabbar, producer Shahzad Nawaz, film-maker Iram Parveen Bilal, film-maker Mumtaz Hussain, film-maker Matthew Newton, ethnic marketing expert Stephanie Herold, actor-writer Aizzah Fatima and digital media guru Sarah Khan.

Hashmi revealed that 35 entries have been submitted so far. He also added that since YouTube is blocked in Pakistan, it’s difficult for applicants to learn and master techniques on how to make a short film or video. For this reason, the last date of video submission has recently been extended from October 31 to December 31.

“We would like to take this opportunity to announce that all ethnic languages of Pakistan are welcomed for submission,” he continued. “One shouldn’t worry if it is in Seraiki or Balochi. We will subtitle it — we have enough resources in our hands to do that.”

Along with the judges, the public will be invited in February to vote for the grand prize winners, who will be announced in March 2014.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2013.

Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.