Written by: Saman Khalid
Posted on: November 16, 2023 | 
| 中文
Arz-e-Pakistan, the multiple award winning Pakistani short film
Munching on popcorn while perched on the stiff seats of the dimly lit cinema hall is a remote fantasy reminiscent of good old times for many. With new streaming services perpetually bombarding their feeds, most cinephiles find themselves reluctant to undergo the hassle of visiting the cinema. In the age of hustle culture and productivity mania, time is of essence. The mere thought of dedicating an hour or two to leisure sends people spiralling into a stressful frenzy. This results in the waning of long-form entertainment like movies from their lives. That being said, everyone craves the enthrallment of getting invested in a meaty film from time to time. So, what exactly is the answer to this conundrum? It is actually something as simple as short films.
The basic fact that short films package the best features of traditional films into digestible, bite-sized content sets them apart right away. Often revolving around one pivotal message, a short film normally contains 3-8 scenes. Most short films last about 7 minutes on average. However, some can even drop down to 3 minutes, like the oscar-winning animated film named “(Piper) A Joy Story" that took the director 3 years to develop.
Piper, the Oscar winning short film
While it might seem facile on the surface, the creation of such films is sometimes even trickier than longer movies. The time-bound nature of the medium presents a challenge for the makers, and prompts them to engineer the best possible way to delineate the central theme within a constricted time frame. This requires painstaking effort and rigorous editing, until the final product is perfected.
Accessibility is arguably the most salient factor in this ball game. Most short films are released by independent creators on YouTube for the common viewer to enjoy. No special subscription is required for the experience, which adds to their allure. It is lucrative for both the consumers and the producers, since the entry level barrier is incredibly low in this field. Anyone with a passion for film-making and a filming device, can make a name for themselves.
Lala Begum, a historic Pakistani short film
The beloved director of the feature film "Lights Out", David F. Sandberg actually gained traction from his short film YouTube channel. Similarly, YouTubers like Andrew Huang and the Neistat Brothers are known for their inventive short film concepts. Their success is a testament to the thriving opportunities offered by short films, particularly to struggling artists with minimal connections.
Short films come in all sorts of genres, but a select few are so thought-provoking and evocative that they leave the viewers spell-bound. Some of them are mentioned below:
1. The Silent Child (2017): A poignant film about a deaf student and his teacher, highlighting the importance of tolerance.
2. Paperman (2012): A Disney film about the enchanting blend of fate and connection.
3. World of Tomorrow (2015): A sci-fi movie delving into existence, memory and time.
4. The Butterfly Circus (2009): A moving story about the perception of beauty and self-worth.
5. The Lost Thing (2010) : Based on Saun Tan's book, this film is about the search for meaning in modern society.
The Silent Child (2017)
Without a doubt, short films have gained exponential growth over the past few years. The biggest reason for that is the fact that they cater to the shortening attention spans for audiences. Budding filmmakers are trickling in by the second, tempted by the huge potential gains achieved through limited resources and energy. Some short film channels like “Omeleto”, have crossed over 3 million subscribers on YouTube.
On a larger scale, almost every prominent award show has created a category specifically for short films: The Oscars and the Filmfare Awards. This speaks volumes about their undeniable impact on mainstream media. Moreover, there are film festivals out there that are fully committed to acknowledging short films. Examples include the Palm Springs International Shortfest, Berlinale Shorts and the Cannes Short Film Festival. Hence, the relevance of short films is a non-negotiable reality that is probably going to revolutionize the standards of the film industry.
The Butterfly Circus (2009)
Pakistani talent is hit on its heels in order to catch up with the rest of the world. A steady surge has been recorded in the number of short films being made in Pakistan. Our cinema might be dwindling, but short film creators are here to save the day. It is extremely heartening to see both established names and fledgling artists partake in this venture. According to IMDB, the most popular short film genre in Pakistan is mystery/thriller, with the top three films bagging an extraordinary rating of 9+ stars. Namely, they are Apartment 51 (2021), Naqab (Veil 2023) and Huqooq-ul-Ibad (Human Rights 2021) . Switching from commercial ratings, Pakistani short films have also received notable acclaim and reputed awards for their exquisite themes and exceptional content.
It is no ordinary feat to accomplish such recognition, so let us take a look at the gems of our local short film industry:
1. Arz-e-Pakistan (The Land of Pakistan): This spectacular travel film has bagged several awards including the Platinum Travel Film of the Year and Best Travel Commercial (Moscow Film Festival) . It also secured the first prize at the 13th FilmAT festival.
2. Lala Begum: Mehreen Jabbar's short film about lost family ties won the Best Feature Film at Pakistan International Film Festival this year, and also bagged the Best Screenplay Award at the DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF).
3. Deception: Helmed by Ruhina Nasir, this short film has been screened at 10 international film fests including MOTIF festival in Poland, Rome PRISMA Awards and Queen Palm Festival in the US.
4. Mey Rahungi (I’ll Stay): Written and Directed by Shamoon Abbasi, the short film based on women’s empowerment, claimed 4 awards at the Crossover Film Fest, Woodbridge Virginia.
This is merely the tip of the iceberg. There are dozens of other phenomenal pieces that have garnered massive praise, both local and international. It is thus safe to say that the Pakistani short film industry is booming, and is well on its way to becoming the best of the best.
Mey Rahungi, a short film on women's empowerment by Shamoon Abbasi
The upturn of short films has introduced a groundbreaking market into the industry. It is now up to the up-and-coming youths to track it down and invest their skills into the thriving goldmine. There is immense potential in this domain and with the right strategy, anyone can wield it to their advantage. Short films might as well be the new cinema, so movie aficionados had better hop on before it is too late!
You may also like:
