Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy recently concluded the Stories She Tells program, a women-focused filmmaking initiative that highlights powerful tales of women, for women, by women in Pakistan. The closing ceremony saw eight young female filmmakers showcase trailers of their films, each exploring unique and often overlooked women’s experiences across the country.

 

Held with support from partners including the British Council and mentors such as Dr Noe Mendelle of the Scottish Documentary Institute, the program has helped women from cities like Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Quetta develop their storytelling skills from ideation to post-production.

Chinoy highlighted the need for building infrastructure and opportunities for emerging women filmmakers and praised participants for creating compelling narratives that challenge norms and broaden representation in cinema.