Pakistani filmmakers are set to make their mark at the 16th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF), with three short films from the country selected for this year’s competition lineup. The festival, scheduled from September 14 to 21, will showcase Pakistani entries on September 18 at Chicago’s AMC River East 21 theatre.
Founded in 2010, CSAFF is dedicated to promoting cultural diversity and highlighting stories from South Asia and the diaspora. Over the years, it has grown into a major platform backed by cultural institutions, the city of Chicago, and its thriving South Asian community.
Pakistan’s selections for CSAFF 2025
Don’t Be Late, Myra
Directed by Afia Nathaniel, this 15-minute thriller captures Lahore through the eyes of a schoolgirl who misses her van home. Based on a true story, the film portrays the perils she faces on the streets while navigating encounters with strangers. Starring Innayah Umer as Myra, with Nida Ahsan, Sumaira Saghir, and Mushtaq Ahmed among the cast, the short has already won accolades at festivals in New Jersey, Montreal, New York, the UK, and beyond.
Fankaar (The Artist)
Ahsan Minhas’ psychological drama follows a man compelled to perform three acts, each exposing the pain of marginalized segments of society. With themes of exploitation, class divisions, and the commodification of suffering, the film earned lead actor Sardaar Nabeel the Best Actor award at India’s Dadasahib Phalke International Film Festival in 2024. Fankaar has also been screened at film festivals in Washington DC and Canada.
Waqt Kay Saath Saath (Time After Time)
Making its premiere at CSAFF, Tabish Habib’s Time After Time is a heartfelt meditation on fatherhood. The story revolves around a young father whose daughter disappears while playing in their Lahore garden, forcing him to journey through time to find her. Dedicated to Habib’s own father, the film stars Joyland duo Ali Junejo and Rasti Farooq, alongside Maha Hasan and Hina Bayat.
Pakistan’s festival journey
Pakistani cinema has steadily built a presence at CSAFF. Last year, Gunjal—a fictionalized take on the murder of child labor activist Iqbal Masih—was runner-up for Best Fiction Feature (Audience Choice), while Songs of the Sufi won Best Documentary (Audience Choice).
Since its debut at CSAFF’s first edition with Ramchand Pakistani, films such as Kamal Khan’s Laal Kabootar, Mehreen Jabbar’s Dobara Phir Se, and Iram Parveen Bilal’s Wakhri have kept Pakistani storytelling in the international spotlight.
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