Pakistani Film ‘Lamha’ Gets a Spot at New York Film Festival

MADIHA AZHAR

KARACHI: Lamha, a Pakistani feature film is going to be screened at the New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF).

The entire cast and production is excited and hopeful for its chances to win awards at the event.

The Film Producer and CEO of Bodhicitta Works, Meher Jaffri said that out of some 3,000 film entries, Lamha is one of 100 films short-listed for the festival. Besides, the film has also been nominated in Best Producer, Best Director, Best Writer and Best Actors Awards categories.

NYCIFF is an annual event held at Times Square, New York and runs alongside NY Film Market, the only film market in the US East Coast.

Jaffri said, “The Festival Director, Roberto Rizzo has written good comments for the film which is not only encouraging but also increases the chances of film getting good response.”

Lamha (publicized as Seedlings in English internationally), starring Mohib Mirza, Amina Sheikh and Gohar Rasheed, is a production of Meher Jaffri and Summer Nicks. The film has been directed by a new talent Mansoor Mujahid.

Jaffri told the media that the story penned by Producer Nicks, “is a Pakistan-based story, encompassing human interests and does not carry any political or social agenda. However, some upcoming projects by the company would be based on current affairs.”

The musical score of the film has been composed by Usman Riaz, a young musical prodigy and 2012 TEDGlobal Fellow while Zoe Viccaji has given vocals for the music. Other songs comprise of classical songs of Mehdi Hassan that have been used in their original form. It is to note that Riaz and Viccaji have also been nominated for Lux Style Awards in their respective categories this year.

The NYCIFF will take place from August 9 to August 16 this year. The film is scheduled to be released in Pakistan by late fall.