The 10th edition of the Women International Film Festival concluded in Lahore with a strong and energetic turnout, as hundreds of filmmakers, students, artists, and cinema lovers gathered to celebrate women-led storytelling. Held over two days from February 14 to 15, the festival marked one of the most engaged cultural events of the season, reflecting growing public interest in independent cinema.
Meanwhile, the Lahore screenings ran parallel to the Islamabad edition, which has been organised consistently for the past decade and continues to shape national conversations around representation. Organisers described this year’s Lahore response as the city’s most active engagement so far, highlighting a shift towards more inclusive and diverse creative spaces within Pakistan’s evolving arts landscape.
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This year’s programme featured a strong lineup of women-directed short and feature films selected from an international pool of submissions. In total, 23 films were screened, with nine premiering on opening day, while stories explored themes of identity, resilience, personal freedom, and social resistance through emotionally grounded narratives.
The Lahore edition was produced by Bilqul under the leadership of British Pakistani filmmaker Annusheh Rahim, who emphasised that the festival focuses on dialogue, learning, and visibility rather than competition. She stressed that women’s experiences are complex and varied, and therefore should not be restricted to rigid themes or narrow creative categories.
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Additionally, panel discussions addressed key issues such as censorship, funding struggles, and gender barriers within filmmaking industries, while a major highlight included a conversation with Zenith Irfan, known for challenging gender norms through storytelling. The festival atmosphere extended beyond screenings, with performances, networking mixers, and creative exchanges strengthening the bond between emerging talent and established professionals.