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The Documentary Association Pakistan (DAP) has returned with the fourth edition of its travelling documentary film festival — Chalta Phirta Documentary Festival (CPDF) — bringing both local and international documentary films to your hometown (in our case, Karachi). The best part? The screenings are not where it ends. The film viewings are followed by filmmaker meet ups, panel discussions, an art activity and a meditation session.

The two-day registration-only festival, after having made its Quetta, Gujranwala and Islamabad runs, is now set to commence in Karachi at Nani Ghar from January 10, followed by a Lahore run starting from January 17.

Starting at 2pm on both days, this year’s CPDF will feature a curated selection of 12 local and international documentary films spanning various genres, largely reflecting the social realities we live in.

DAP is an association for local documentary filmmakers aimed at providing mentorship, community and a platform for under-represented non-fiction stories of Pakistan through the art of filmmaking. As part of their initiative to bring Pakistani stories to the screen, DAP initiated the first edition of CPDF back in 2019 — where the volunteer-run film festival showcased documentaries themed around stories of migration and conflict, bringing international award-winning Pakistani films to audiences at home, including Emmy winner Armed with Faith, as well as A Walnut Tree and Sindhustan.

Anam Abbas, co-founder of DAP, urged film enthusiasts to visit the festival this year if they are looking for an “uncensored” curation of films.

“If you have been watching Pakistan Idol and crying like me, come connect with Pakistani filmmakers and feel joy in bravery, authenticity, and a unique point of view these artists have to offer,” she wrote while listing down reasons not to miss the festival.

Co-founder Tazeen Bari promised a trip to the photo studio in Quetta, a quest for happiness in the mountains of Bhutan, and an exploration of a Palestinian woman’s heart searching for her past, all in one place.

With a subsidised entry ticket, DAP continues to focus on popularising the culture of documentary watching in the country by organising film screenings in public spaces across Pakistan, in addition to being an initiative that aims to promote the art of documentary and strengthen the community of documentary filmmakers in Pakistan.

For our readers who often wonder where to access independent Pakistani documentaries, this is your cue to run to Nani Ghar to catch a few!