LAHORE:

A large number of families, film enthusiasts and students from various universities gathered at the Olomopolo Theatre head office in Lahore on Sunday to attend the second and concluding day of the Women International Film Festival (WIFF X) Lahore chapter.

The event showcased women directed films from across the world and highlighted the growing interest in female led cinema and storytelling in Pakistan.

The Lahore chapter was produced by Women Through Film and formed part of the larger framework of the Women International Film Festival, which is the annual flagship festival of Women Through Film based in Islamabad. The Lahore edition was organised with Bilqul Creates serving as the implementing partner in the city. Notably, the main annual flagship event of WIFF was held simultaneously in Islamabad on February 14–15, 2026, reinforcing the festival’s national scope and unified vision across cities.

Day 2 of the festival opened with a DSLR Filmmaking Workshop conducted in collaboration with Shutterhub. The hands on session was designed for emerging artists with a special focus on empowering women by providing access to technical knowledge. Participants were introduced to camera mechanics, basic cinematography, and the visual language of storytelling, helping them gain confidence behind the lens. Organisers stated that such initiatives aim to democratise filmmaking skills and encourage more women to enter technical and creative roles within the industry.

A major highlight of the day was a panel discussion titled “The Transindustrial Landscape for Pakistani Filmmakers.” The discussion featured Nirmal Bano, Ilsa Gillani, and Fatema Zara, who shared insights into how contemporary Pakistani filmmakers are navigating advertising, digital platforms, independent cinema and global markets. The panellists spoke candidly about sustainability, funding challenges, creative autonomy and the rapidly evolving industrial ecosystem shaping the future of storytelling in Pakistan. Students and young filmmakers actively engaged with the speakers, asking questions about career pathways and the realities of working across multiple platforms.

Another well attended session was a special Q&A with Zenith Irfan, focusing on the making of the biographical film Motorcycle Girl, which is inspired by her life and journey. The conversation explored themes of representation, courage, and adaptation, and examined how real-life stories of Pakistani women can be translated effectively onto the screen. The session resonated strongly with audiences, particularly young women, who viewed Irfan’s story as a symbol of resilience and breaking societal barriers.

According to festival organisers, a total of 11 films on diverse themes were screened on the final day. These films addressed social issues, cultural values and long standing taboos, offering nuanced perspectives through a female lens. Women filmmakers present at the festival also interacted with students, guiding them on modern standards of film direction and production and sharing practical advice drawn from their professional experiences.

The festival concluded with an energetic closing DJ set by DJ Mix Masala, celebrating creative sisterhood, community and collective joy. The lively atmosphere reflected the overall success of the Lahore chapter and the enthusiastic public response it received.

Speaking on the occasion, Annusheh Rahim, a British Pakistani film director, said that this year the festival received its maximum public response, with students from different universities attending in large numbers. She described the women-directed films as masterpieces that highlighted important social issues, cultural values, and taboos. She added that during the panel discussions, panellists guided aspiring female filmmakers on best practices in film direction and explained what newcomers should focus on when directing and producing films.

Organisers also acknowledged Madeeha Raza, Founder and Curator of WIFF, whose vision over the past decade has shaped the festival into a national platform for women in film.

With its strong turnout and meaningful conversations, the Lahore chapter of WIFF reaffirmed its commitment to amplifying women’s voices and strengthening Pakistan’s film industry through inclusive, female centred story telling.