Nayab and Deemak win big at SCO Film Festival
Pakistani cinema is making waves internationally after Nayab (2024) and Deemak won awards at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Film Festival in China’s Chongqing.
Nayab, the story of a middle-class girl who dreams of making it big in the competitive world of cricket, starring Yumna Zaidi and Usama Khan, won the Jury Special Award out of 19 films in competition from SCO member states, director Umair Nasir Ali shared.
In an Instagram post, the director revealed that the jury, composed of distinguished representatives from all SCO nations, recognised the film “for its exceptional artistic merit, original storytelling, and directorial excellence”.
“To receive this recognition on such a major multilateral platform feels deeply personal and profoundly national. Representing Pakistan at the SCO Film Festival, which goes beyond cinema into diplomacy and people-to-people connection, is both an honour and a responsibility. When your work is awarded here, it speaks not just of you as a filmmaker, but of the stories your country carries, the voices it raises, and the talent it holds.”
Ali called it a proud and emotional moment for Pakistani cinema and thanked everyone who was part of Nayab’s journey. He hoped the win and film’s participation would open more doors for collaborations between filmmakers from Pakistan, China and other SCO countries, “so that our stories continue to travel, connect, and inspire across borders.”
Meanwhile, Deemak, the psychological horror film starring Sonya Hussyn, Samina Peerzada, and Faysal Quraishi, won the award for Best Editing.
In a post on Instagram, the movie’s director Rafay Rashdi called it a “historic win for Pakistani cinema on an international stage” and thanked the SCO, the Ministry of Information and those who believed in the film’s vision.
“Pakistan Zindabad,” he added.
Rashdi also shared a picture with the award, and Hussyn, who was in attendance at the ceremony.
Hussyn posted an Instagram story with the award and said it was a proud moment for Pakistan. “Our film Deemak bring home an award at the prestigious film festival,” the actor wrote.
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