Lahore's Government College University turns into Hogwarts for week-long Harry Potter festival

Pakistan's first Harry Potter fan movie, The Last Follower and the Resurrection of Voldemort, will be screened at the festival.

The Newspaper's Staff Reporter

30 Nov, 2021

This winter, the Government College University has been turned into a magical Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as the week-long Harry Potter festival began on Monday on the campus.

The festival that the university is hosting till Dec 5 also marks the screening of Pakistan’s first Harry Potter fan movie titled The Last Follower and the Resurrection of Voldemort.

This comes a decade after the last Harry Potter film The Deathly Hallows Part-2 was released in 2011. And, the quest to find what happened in the world of Harry Potter years after the death of Lord Voldemort is what inspired the Khayaali Productions, a group of students from GCU, to come up with a film on the subject.

The film is a roller coaster of magical visuals shot at the gothic architecture of GCU and it was premiered exclusively at the Bukhari Auditorium from Nov 29 and will continue till Dec 5.

Waleed Akram, a former student of GCU, is the director, cinematographer, and editor of the movie.

According to Waleed, the purpose of introducing this new genre was to show our love towards the magical world of Harry Potter for the first time. Moreover, he says, the fan-made movie also reflects the potential of our youth who pulled it off with extremely limited resources.

He said they started working on the project way back in 2018 but Covid-19 delayed some re-shoots.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said: “Our youth has immense potential and we just need to provide them opportunities, little guidance and support.”

The main cast includes Umer Darr, Jazib Akram, Mariam Hassan Naqvi, Talha Chahour, Dua Marium, and Sheikh Mubashir. The extraordinary visual effects are done by Zeeshan Hameed. Ibrahim Hassan is the associate director and productions head of the movie.

The festival includes other than the screening of movies, Harry Potter experiential space at GCU Salam Hall, Harry Potter merchandise, food stalls, face paint and posters and photo booths.

Originally published in Dawn, November 30th, 2021

Comments

Dubdub Nov 30, 2021 12:51pm

Looks like good fun, enjoy.

Recommend

NYS Nov 30, 2021 01:06pm

Pulled out students and the magic world take you the tinsel town

Shehzad Zafar Nov 30, 2021 01:23pm

This college converted into university by mushraff regime for dolling out money has become useless in studies and should be converted to a women university.

Chooza Nov 30, 2021 01:38pm

Has the Wizardry been cleared with CII; so they can throw a spanner in the works? My College University has done well, congrats to all Ravians. Memories of Dr Mohd. Nazir, the Principal of GC, we stood for against Punjab Governor Nawab of Kalabagh dismissing him and then had to reinstate as we students stood our ground. Don't let anyone challenge you on this, best wishes. May the younger generation succeed and replace the unworthy.

Zameera Rihai Nov 30, 2021 01:47pm

Whole university is already under witchcraft in terms of "research and teaching"

Taimur Nov 30, 2021 03:09pm

decolonize your minds, please!

Akil Akhtar Nov 30, 2021 04:24pm

so this is what we are brainwashing our children with....seems like we have no pride in our own race and culture...

sach Nov 30, 2021 04:37pm

Life of the Privileged! Uh. While it is fun for some -is also 'In your face' on the ordinary lives in Pakistan who are suffering from highest inflation, covid, unemployment ...

Concerned Nov 30, 2021 04:55pm

You will never see them celebrating any local author like that. A perfect example of Anglophiles.

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Nov 30, 2021 04:58pm

Who is Harry Potter? Is he a local hero from Lahore, Islamic Republic of Pakistan or a foreign fantasy character?

Ga Nov 30, 2021 05:45pm

What's a college university ? It's either a college or a university.

Darkness Nov 30, 2021 05:53pm

@Akil Akhtar is their a problem with having and writing fan made stories and movies unlike you old foggies who are at the end of juices. What is there in you time stories tuta mana. Jin ki Jan tutay ma

Truth be told Nov 30, 2021 10:47pm

@Akil Akhtar social media will be the demise of our youth.

AH Dec 01, 2021 01:39am

Stupidity of these people is beyond belief. Stop wasting your time with this rubbish.