Patakha Pictures empowers women filmmakers after five years

KARACHI: Patakha Pictures has completed five years of supporting emerging documentary filmmakers in Pakistan by providing women with funding, mentorship and opportunities to share stories from their communities.

The initiative was founded by two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy through SOC Films. It celebrated its fifth anniversary at a special event in Karachi on October 19, highlighting the achievements of eight women filmmakers selected for the 2026 edition of its filmmaking mentorship and funding programme, Claim the Frame.

Organised in partnership with the British Council Pakistan and the Scottish Documentary Institute, the programme brought together eight filmmakers from Punjab, Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan. Working in four pairs, they created documentaries exploring important social issues, including gender inequality, climate change, child marriage and access to healthcare in remote communities.

Speaking at the event, Obaid-Chinoy highlighted the programme’s achievements over the past five years, revealing that it had supported more than 75 filmmakers. Their films have been screened at over 100 international festivals and have received more than 22 awards.

She also praised the diversity of stories presented by the participating filmmakers, who travelled from different parts of Pakistan, including Shimshal in Gilgit-Baltistan, to showcase their work. Their documentaries explore subjects such as traditional camel racing, midwives, monsoon brides and tent pegging.

Obaid-Chinoy explained that Pakistan has considerable creative talent, but many aspiring filmmakers struggle to access the resources needed to develop their ideas. Patakha Pictures aims to address this gap by offering financial support, professional guidance and opportunities to bring meaningful stories to the screen.

She said the initiative was established after recognising that talented individuals often lacked access to funding and mentorship. By providing these resources, the programme helps emerging filmmakers turn their ideas into documentaries that reflect the realities of their communities.

Another important goal is to build a network of women storytellers who can share their knowledge and encourage others to enter the filmmaking industry. According to Obaid-Chinoy, participants often return to their communities as ambassadors, inspiring other women to explore filmmaking and tell their own stories. This approach creates a continuing cycle of learning, mentorship and support.

The 2026 edition of Claim the Frame features four creative partnerships, each focusing on a different subject.

Lahore-based filmmakers Ishma Areeb and Javaria Waseem tell the story of Anum Shakoor, a woman who discovered strength and healing through horses before entering the traditionally male-dominated sport of tent pegging. Their documentary highlights her determination to challenge gender barriers.

Karachi-based filmmakers Aleezeh Fatima and Aisha Manzoor explore the connection between climate change, poverty and child marriage in rural Sindh. Their film examines how environmental challenges and financial pressures can affect vulnerable families and influence the lives of young girls.

Meanwhile, Kinza Waqar and Jazaba, who work between Bahawalpur and Lahore, focus on the Cholistan Desert. Their documentary follows Bakht Ali, using his personal experiences, artistic work and connection with the desert to highlight resilience and the cultural traditions of the region.

Kinza Waqar also spoke about the difficulties women can face while working behind the camera. She recalled situations where the filmmaking team had to carry heavy equipment across challenging terrain because no other route was available. Insects and other environmental obstacles made the process even harder, but she continued filming despite the discomfort.

Laila Jamil, Arts Director at the British Council Pakistan, emphasised that Claim the Frame was about more than producing documentaries. She said creating opportunities for different voices was essential to ensuring that Pakistan’s diverse experiences and stories received recognition.

She also highlighted the importance of the partnership between Patakha Pictures, the British Council Pakistan and the Scottish Documentary Institute in helping women filmmakers develop their skills and share their perspectives.

As Patakha Pictures marks its fifth anniversary, its work continues to demonstrate how funding, mentorship and access to opportunities can help women filmmakers bring overlooked stories to wider audiences.