Rawalpindi, 16 Oct 2023: The second edition of Pakistan’s Naqsh Digital Film Festival concluded with a grand prize distribution ceremony at Serena Hotel in Rawalpindi. Organized in conjunction with Fatima Jinnah Women’s University’s Department of Communication and Media Studies and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the festival showcased short films and documentaries from budding filmmakers.
Esteemed figures from the Pakistani media landscape, including actors, producers, directors, and advertising representatives, adorned the event. Among those present were Shehzad Nawaz, Noorul Hasan, Ahmar Sohail Basra, and Sajjad Gul Saaji, to name a few. PTV Films partnered for media coverage, with Cheezious offering culinary delights as the food partner.
Murtaza Solangi, the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, who also served as the chief guest, extolled the influence of films in shaping society’s moral compass. Minister Solangi highlighted the role films play in imparting vital life lessons, paralleling their influence to that of guiding parents. He recognized the various challenges Pakistan confronts and accentuated the imperative of collective resolution. The Minister lauded Fatima Jinnah Women’s University’s initiative and looked forward to its continuation.
Dr. Luay Shabaneh, UNFPA’s Country Head for Pakistan, underscored women’s education’s centrality and lauded the university for championing female empowerment. He also celebrated Pakistani women’s strides in filmmaking and beyond.
Dr. Hameed, the Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women University, acknowledged the sponsors and emphasized the paramount role of media in today’s world, insisting on delivering content that is both entertaining and ethically sound.
Mr. Muhammad Ali, Festival Director and Head of the Department of Communication and Media Studies, reflected on the department’s ambition to furnish students with a holistic platform for hands-on experience across various media production areas. He announced the inauguration of a 4-year Bachelor’s Film Production degree, marking a significant step for aspirant filmmakers. Mr. Ali extolled such festivals’ role in magnifying Fatima Jinnah Women’s University students’ exposure and expertise. Reiterating the department’s dedication to annualizing this festival, Mr. Ali lauded the faculty and team’s role in the event’s success and thanked the Vice Chancellor for her consistent support.
The event culminated with Mr. Ali congratulating the NDFF 2023 winners, jury members, media dignitaries, and the Vice Chancellor for their crucial contribution to the festival’s triumphant execution. This news was sourced from a press release by Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi.