By: Shehneela Mazhar
In the vibrant city of Lahore, Shoaib Iqbal, an esteemed Kennedy Center alumnus and the Founder of The Little Art, brought a remarkable cinematic experience to life through the Youth Zero MM Film Festival. Under the Alumni Small Grant (ASG) program, this international film festival showcased the works of 18 young and aspiring filmmakers from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The Festival received nearly 650 submissions and was selected to showcase some of the finest films. Through the power of storytelling, the festival aimed to promote cultural identity, foster peace, and bridge the gap between youth in South Asia.
With a wealth of experience as an arts manager and director of various cultural projects, Shoaib’s journey culminated in the realization of the Youth Zero MM Film Festival. His long-term dream was to explore and share stories from Pakistan, India, and other South Asian countries, using film as a medium to promote understanding and unity.
The primary purpose of the Youth Zero MM Film Festival was to promote social inclusion by curating a selection of short films that reflect the people, ideas, and cultures of South Asia. These films, created by young filmmakers, fostered dialogue, collaboration, and discovery, contributing to peaceful relations among the region’s diverse communities.
The film festival was inaugurated by Karl Rogers, Public Diplomacy Officer, US Consulate Lahore as the chief guest. He stated; “It is my pleasure to attend this wonderful event. The Festival gave a platform to emerging filmmakers to showcase and the audience to ask questions on the stories presented, as well as about the film and art form. We are glad that PUAN can organize such events that promote dialogue and collaborations.”
The festival left a profound impact on its beneficiaries, directly benefiting 20 individuals and indirectly reaching 4000 others. Notably, the event successfully established a network of young filmmakers from Pakistan, India, and South Asia, fostering collaboration and shared growth. The festival also encouraged a sense of connection and commonality among the participating filmmakers, opening doors for potential future collaborations.
Saad Raheel Khan, a young filmmaker from Lahore, shared, “The festival was a great opportunity for me to screen my film. The audience’s reactions and their questions have contributed to my growth as a filmmaker, helping me better understand their perspective.”
Shoaib Iqbal’s Youth Zero MM Film Festival has transcended borders, enriching cultural connections and fostering peaceful dialogue among the youth of South Asia. Through the art of filmmaking, this visionary project has united young storytellers, encouraged collaborations, and left a lasting impact on the region’s creative landscape. As we continue to celebrate the power of film and storytelling, let us embrace our shared narratives, break barriers, and promote understanding and friendship across borders. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter and more interconnected future for the youth of South Asia.
