This horror short film about karo kari is a surprise hit
Aleem Bukhari, the 22-year filmmaker and digital artist who clinched the Best Direction and Best Screenplay at the FiLUMS International Film Festival, says he is surprised that his horror short film Sapola has been a festival favourite.
The film, which was also the runner-up for Best Short Film, is a horror-mystery about honour killing. Bukhari says he believed there was a limited audience for the film and he least expected the film to win awards for its unconventionality.
“When I made the film, I knew it wasn’t for [a mainstream] audience, but that festival [curators and audiences] would understand it. When I got the awards, I was surprised. A horror short-film getting two awards at a Pakistani film festival is unexpected because such niche genres typically don’t win awards. In the past, classic horror films haven’t gotten awards but only critical acclaim. However, now things are changing. My film had elements that viewers need to connect with to understand it,” he shared.