Usman Mukhtar's Bench makes it to Cannes Independent Film Festival

Unveiled earlier this year, the trailer for Usman Mukhtar's Bench starring Rubya Chaudhry made headlines for its simplicity and ability to grasp attention from audiences and critics alike.

Winning international hearts at the Independent Short Film Awards in California, the story unpacked the struggles of a young couple at a crossroads within their relationship.

Recently, Mukhtar took to Instagram to share another milestone, revealing to fans and followers that the short film has been selected for the Cannes Independent Film Festival.

"With great humility, joy and pride do we announce that Bench has been selected at the first Cannes International Independent Film Festival - CIIFF," the Anaa star posted.

"We strive for the love of art and cinema and hope to reach new heights. We will continue making more films and also make it to the one and only Cannes Film Festival one day."

Speaking to Images, the actor and director shared just how happy the entire team was.

"All of us feel great. We've been selected by some really nice and respectful festivals and we're really thankful for that," said Mukhtar.

“The entire team is very happy and I’m honestly really proud of the From Natasha Ejaz to Rubya Chaudhry, Hassan Naeem to Ali Muddar - all of these guys are the core members of Bench and we're all really grateful and glad to have made it this far."

The festival is will be held from October 18-20, 2020 at Espace Miramar on the Croisette.