Joyland won awards at Cannes and celebrities' hearts back home

Saim Sadiq's Joyland, Pakistan's first competitive entry at Cannes, has won two awards and no one can stay calm — the internet is filling up with celebrities sending their love!

From the moment Sadiq's movie made it to the film festival, there has been an outpouring of love and support, and it has been a unanimous reaction. Recently, the film received a standing ovation at the viewing ceremony and on Friday, it bagged the Cannes Queer Palm prize for best LGBT, “queer” or feminist-themed movie and the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard segment.

“Joyland will echo across the world,” jury head, French director Catherine Corsini said. “It has strong characters who are both complex and real. Nothing is distorted. We were blown away by this film.”

It is no wonder that the film has amassed skyrocketing success in first go. People from the Pakistani industry have been sure to show their support by sharing and reacting to the news.

Sarmad Khoosat, who produced the film, shared the news and asked what he can do with his heart.

Fellow filmmakers Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Mehreen Jabbar, Nabeel Qureshi and Iram Parveen Bilal expressed wonder over the "huge" news, congratulating Sadiq.

Singer and producer Abdullah Siddiqui, who also made music for the Cannes selection, called working on the film "the honour of a lifetime" and was happy the film was appreciated by the festival.

Actor Butt called it a "historic moment for Pakistan and Pakistani cinema", saying the news deserves the utmost attention.

Actors Nadia Afghan, Azaan Sami Khan, Yamin and Asad Siddiqui re-posted the news talking about how Sadiq was "doing us proud" with the film.

Author Fatima Bhutto also shared in the applause.

Congratulations to the Joyland team!