Young filmmakers received accolades for their innovative work at the first BNU Film Festival, held from 25-27th March, 2016 at Tarogil Campus. Organized by BNU Television and Film Society, under the aegis of Department of Theater, Film & TV (TFT), Beaconhouse National University, the three-day festival provided filmmakers a platform to showcase their work and to compete in different competitions related to filmmaking. The festival attracted a huge number of participants from different educational institutions across the country who participated in the following six categories:

1. Short Films
2. Documentary
3. 60 Second Films
4. Music Videos
5. Speed Filming
6. Vines

Special screenings of the movies “Manto” and “Taweez” were also arranged during the festival along with some exciting social events. The festival ended with an award ceremony that was attended by esteemed guests and judges from Film and TV industry. Awards and cash prizes were distributed among the winners and runners-up on this occasion. Shields were presented to the judges as well who graced the event. Details of winners and runners-up of each category are given below:

Vines:

Winner - Daniyal Butt from FCC + 3k Prize Money
Runner up - Salman ul Haq from Garrison College
Judge: Mehmood Aali

60 Second Films:

Winner: Shabbar Ali from Aitchison College + 3k prize money
Runner up: Mahmood ul Hassan from SADA (Gujrat)
Judge: Qazi Akhyar

Music Videos:

Winner: Namwar Ayaz from NCA + 5k Prize Money
Runner up: Hira Tariq from NCA
Judge: Adnan Kandhar

SpeedFilming:

Winner - Affan Maudoodi from UMT + 5k Prize Money
Runner up - Abdullah Imran Tahir from Aitchison College
Judge: Nasir Ali Mazari

Documentary:

Winner - Zawahar Butt from NCA + 5k Prize Money
Runner up - Jasim Ejaz from NUST
Judge: Kamran Butt (Producer GEO TV and documentary filmmaker)

Short Films:

Best SOUND DESIGN - Ali Sohail Jaura from Iqra University, Karachi for "PANAAH - Short Film"
Best CINEMATOGRAPHY - Ali Sohail Jaura from Iqra University, Karachi for "PANAAH - Short Film"
Best EDITING - Ali Sohail Jaura from Iqra University, Karachi for "PROHIBITED - Short Film"
Best ACTOR - ARHAM in Namwar Ayaz's short film "KALAAK" from NCA
RUNNER UP - M. Arslan from Allama Iqbal Medical College for "DEAR GOD - Short Film" + 3k Cash Prize
WINNER - Ali Sohail Jaura from Iqra University, Karachi for "PANAAH - Short Film" + 5k Cash Prize
Judges: Ayub Khawar (renowned TV producer, writer and poet. HEAD OF Mazaaq Raat show)
Ali Tahir (Actor /producer /Director)

Film enthusiasts belonging from different walks of life attended the BNU Film Festival and highly appreciated the work showcased at the event. Judges and celebrities from Film & TV industry also appreciated the efforts of TFT faculty for organizing the event. Syed Urooj Samdani, HoD Theatre, Film and Television, said that the event was made possible due to the efforts of the students who organized this three-day extravaganza. He gave all the credit to the respected Vice Chancellor of BNU, Mr. Shahid Hafiz Kardar for supporting the TFT department.

Mr. Ayub Khawar, renowned TV producer and writer, appreciated the efforts of faculty and students. He said that such events will motivate film and TV students to produce more short films and documentaries as they need outlets to showcase their work. Popular TV actor, producer and director, Mr. Ali Tahir announced his unlimited support for TFT students in his upcoming Theater and TV productions. He appreciated the works of the different colleagues and universities screened at the festival.

The 1st BNU Film Festival became a huge success and this initiative will continue in the coming years. We like to thank all the participants for being a part of this three-day film fiesta and hope to see more cutting-edge and innovative work in upcoming editions.