Muslim Film Festival

One thing I realized this weekend is that, how difficult it is to remain aware of the the different events happening around this very city and how easy it is to miss them. Although a new effort but threre was this event called the Muslim Film Festival taking place, organized by the students of the arts institute NAPA, I had no idea about. It was running from 6-8th July and I only came to know on sunday morning. So it was clear that I had to go there, only, I didnt know the schedule and the movies being screened and the name of the event. I started searching on the net for all sites that list events being held in Karachi and I was disappointed to find that there wasnt a single updated site. Then I found the site, Danka Karachi. I have added it to the links section. It was the most upto date site in terms of the cultural events taking place in Karachi. I really commend the efforts of those people who are maintaining it. Do check it out to keep informed.

 

The film festival was a good effort though much was left to be desired. It was the first time and it was an independent effort by a group of students who looked very enthusiastic but did not look the pro organizers needed for such events. Film selection was good, attendence was short and the it was spoilt by unneccessary compering of one the organizers who felt the need to hog the stage and introduce everything at length. I spoke to him later, not about his compering, about the event management and who was behind this idea and if they got enough sponsorship. They said that the "Muslim" part of this film festival was their uniqueness and identity, of course against the other film festival Kara. Though Muslim Film Festival is also organized in California and Tajikistan, as I later came to know. It was about films made by muslims and for muslims about issues muslims were facing. Not a bad effort at all I must say and I hope they will mature as event organizers and this event will become better as it grows older.