Sharmeen Obaid's Aagahi bags nomination at Cannes Lions International Fest

The animated short aims to increase awareness in women so they're able to navigate the judicial system with confidence.

22 Jun, 2019

If she wins, this won't be the first time she's bringing an international trophy home.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s animated awareness series, Aagahi has been nominated at The 66th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Aagahi is the first Pakistani series to ever be nominated at Cannes Lion. The two-time Academy Award winner's series is a public service campaign which aims to educate women about their legal rights in Pakistan. It has been nominated for the Sustainable Development Goals Lions in the Gender Equality category.

“Aagahi is a campaign designed to create awareness in women so they are able to navigate the police and judicial system with confidence in Pakistan. The impact created in rural and urban communities through AAGAHI has been tremendous and we at SOC Films are delighted to be shortlisted for the Cannes Sustainable Development Goals award.” said Chinoy on her first Cannes Lions nomination.

In the past seven months, SOC Films have released short animated films in Urdu explaining the laws which affect women on topics such as: how to file an FIR, what does the law state on instances of domestic violence, divorce, cyber-crimes and inheritance and what is the procedure for reporting issues like these and who should be approached for help. One of Pakistan’s leading actresses, Aamina Sheikh has lent her voice for the series.

Each short-film was designed and produced by SOC Films in collaboration with Women Action Forum and covered the law, its interpretation and the safety that it provides to the victim. This also included the legislation, as stated in the Pakistan Penal Code, and the various case laws, which have been passed or revised in the recent years.

Over 30,000 pieces of creative and effective work from 89 countries, in 27 distinct creative disciplines, will be awarded and celebrated at the 66th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Cannes Lions is committed to campaigning for creativity as a powerful force for good in the world and has partnering with the UN to support the Sustainable Development Goals through a range of creative initiatives at the Festival.

Comments

amir Jun 22, 2019 11:13am

Amazing they never give any recognition to Edhi but this woman keeps getting an award every other year. It appears that all the bad news from Pakistan is eligible for all kind of awards

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Friendly_Neighbourhood Jun 22, 2019 11:24am

Best of luck.

Nuzhat Shirin Jun 22, 2019 12:03pm

It's useful for campaign on VAW .....Sindh commission on the status of women appreciate Agahi films send us one complete set of film which we use

Beena Jun 22, 2019 12:26pm

The story of Sharmeen is very simple which is, she represents the most ugly picture of our society in order to get success . It feels like she can’t find a single positive thing in our society or even if she finds she doesn’t waste her time on that because positivity of our society won’t let her win any awards.

badshah Jun 22, 2019 12:38pm

Not Deserving

Farrukh Jun 22, 2019 01:02pm

Just a reminder, please don't send fb request to her.....

Laila Jun 22, 2019 02:23pm

She has every reason to be proud of her work. Wish her success and prosperity.

shahram Jun 22, 2019 03:36pm

Is she doing anything constructive for the country or just destructive criticism on the expense of Pakistan's defamity?

Abdul Aziz Jun 22, 2019 04:21pm

Best of Luck

DIPANJALI Jun 22, 2019 04:59pm

Superb initiative by the filmmakers. Wish you luck for the prize.

Laila Jun 23, 2019 01:04am

@shahram The defqmity is caused by us having these problems. Not by us creating awareness about it. Your priorities are all messed up. Why don't you fix our society oso we won't have these social ills to begin with? Truth and critisicm are valid if you don't like truth then that's your problem. Not hers or ours.

Laila Jun 23, 2019 01:08am

@amir It's mit comparable. The awards is given for visual work. Like films. Documentaries. The late and honourable Edhi was a social activist. Do you see the difference? It's is very strange that you think we should sweep the unpleasent stories of our society under the rug. There isnt more space under the rug. So we shjd hide the Ruth because it's not good for our image? Whats the sense in that?

Noor Jun 23, 2019 06:23am

@amir agree with you . And if she is really sincere with Pakistan and wants to bring a positive change then instead of focusing on getting awards by portraying an ugly picture of our country , why she doesn’t work with social groups and philanthropist to bring a positive change in our society. People who appreciate her work are those who are not sincere with Pakistan.