Sharmeen Chinoy's new short film is an ode to local artisans of Peshawar and Afghan refugees

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy's films always seem to tell stories that the world needs to know...and she's doing what she does best with her new short, titled Lél.

The film is about the artistic collective Lél, that curates works in natural stone - semiprecious & marble, proudly handcrafted by local artisans and Afghan refugees in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, thousands of artisans possessing skills of exceptional artistic and historic value, poured into Peshawar to escape conditions of war. Over two decades later Peshawar, one of the oldest surviving cities in Asia, is itself conflict-ridden.

Also read: These tough women show the world the 'soft' side of Pakistan

Lél, the brainchild of mother-daughter duo, Farhana Asad and Meherunissa Asad, regards these artisans as living treasures, nurturing their knowledge of traditional techniques passed down to them through the ages and introducing their skills to a new generation of art connoisseurs.

Read their entire story here.