PIFF 2025 Celebrates Creative Empowerment, Cinema, and Cultural Heritage

The festival drew a dynamic mix of media

professionals, academics, artists

university students, and emerging filmmakers

Staff Reporter

Karachi: The Pakistan International Film Festival (PIFF) 2025, organized by the Karachi Film Society (KFS), commenced its vibrant four-day celebration of cinema, culture, and intellectual property with a strong opening day event in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Pakistan to mark World Intellectual Property Day.

Held in Karachi, the festival drew a dynamic mix of media professionals, academics, artists, university students, and emerging filmmakers, all united under the banner of creative empowerment and IP awareness.

Intellectual Property in the Spotlight

The opening day featured keynote addresses by Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon (Chief Guest) and Sultana Siddiqui, President of HUM Network (Guest of Honour). Ambassador Farukh Amil, Chairperson IPO Pakistan, emphasized the importance of intellectual property rights (IPR) in today’s digital and AI-driven creative economy.

“Know your music, know your film, know your IP rights — it’s yours; own it,” he urged, particularly addressing the youth.

Special video messages from WIPO’s Deputy Director General Sylvie Forbin and Director General Daren Tang shared global insights on copyright protection and innovation.

Thought-Provoking Panels and Performances

Two high-impact panel discussions were held:

• Panel 1: “Impact of AI on Creativity and IP Rights in Music and Arts”
  Moderated by Mahwish Husnain, with panelists Dr. Kashif Laeeq, Jawwad Paracha, and Tufail Channa, the session explored how AI is reshaping ownership in Pakistan’s creative sector.
• Panel 2: “Youth, Music & Innovation — IP Empowerment in the Arts”
  Moderated by Syed Nasrullah, with a powerhouse panel including Arshad Mehmood, Teymour Aslam, Baber Sheikh, Nadeem Jaffrey, Mohammad Ali Sheyki, and Umnia J. Iftikhar. The discussion spotlighted how IP rights can secure financial futures for artists and foster innovation.

The day ended with musical performances by the NAPA team and Saif Samejo and band, followed by a souvenir distribution, networking lunch, and closing remarks from COMP COO Taimur Aslam and Registrar of Copyright Syed Nasrullah.

Global Screenings & Cultural Milestones

June 20 (Day 2) featured a collaboration with the Goethe-Institut for the screening of acclaimed German films:

• “Beyond the Blue Border” by Sarah Neumann
• “Red Sky” by Christian Petzold

Day 3 will feature three powerful films:

• “She Chef” – A culinary journey through Europe
• “Seven Winters in Tehran” – A documentary on women’s resistance in Iran
• “HunDan – An Echo of a Dirge” – The first Burushaski-language feature film, set in Hunza, offering a bold narrative on climate change and indigenous wisdom.

Day 4 wraps up with:

• “Greetings from Mars” – A heartwarming tale of neurodiversity
• “Two to One” – A post-Berlin Wall comedy
• Student Hour & Family Show screenings of “The Donkey King” and “Glass Worker”, showcasing Pakistan’s animation talent.

Celebrating Pakistani and Global Cinema

This year’s festival brings together a stellar board, chaired by Sultana Siddiqui, and includes notable names like Ameena Saiyid, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Ronak Lakhani, Khursheed Qureshi, Sirajuddin Aziz, and others.