akistani films are finally on their way to carving their own identity, aesthetic and original narrative. This became clear at the 3rd edition of Red Sea International Film Festival that concluded in Jeddah, Saudia Arabia.

After Saim Sadiq’s Joyland shone brightly across the indie circuit with an impressive run, it seems now its Zarrar Kahn’s In Flames turn to shine.

At the Red Sea International Film Festival, In Flames won Best Feature Film. While Zarrar Kahn was not present, he did share his views via a video message.

According to a report in Variety, the Pakistani-Canadian film won what is known as The Golden Yusr for best film and a $100,000 cash prize.

Kahn, according to Variety, encouraged others to make a film because In Flames, according to him, “was made for nothing,”. He also noted in an Instagram post about wishing he was present at the festival.

Another Pakistani film had its world premiere at the festival, namely Wakhri: One of a Kind, which is directed by LA-based filmmaker, Iram Parveen Bilal. The film’s director and cast descended upon the festival for its global premiere and made a splash as top actors from the country such as Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed posed with them. Perhaps even better is the news that the film will release in Pakistan in 2024.

Wakhri is loosely based on the slain internet sensation, Qandeel Baloch. Challenging stereotypes, it also echoes the message that there is no honor in killing. Expect some terrific performances as it heads to local cinemas.

On the subject of Red Sea, Khan and Saeed also mingled with Hollywood bigwigs such as Andrew Garfield. Saeed also posed alongside American actor and producer Nicolas Cage and American actor as well as the Oscar-winning Adrien Brody.

Pakistan’s cinematic moment of glory didn’t end there. Australian director Baz Luhrmann, who headed the Red Sea jury - and has a repertoire of brilliant films such as The Great Gatsby and Moulin Rouge - shared positive views on Pakistani cinema, noting how something interesting was happening in terms of cinema in Pakistan.

The Pakistani contingent of stars also included Ahad Raza Mir, who is already dabbling between Pakistani projects and international projects (more on that later). He also shone on the red carpet and posed for a picture with Humayun Saeed. The latter also gushed about meeting one of his favorite directors, Michael Mann, and made fashion statements as did Mahira Khan, who looked sublime in a black sari.

Amidst the hoopla and the pictures, it has become palpable that cinematic efforts from Pakistan have the potential to compete with the world if the stories, direction and acting is executed properly. And, just in case we didn’t mention it before, In Flames, has been selected by the Pakistan Oscar Committee as our official entry to the Oscars.

Throughout the impressive edition of Red Sea Film Festival, where Bollywood stars were present as well as several high-profile names from Hollywood, calls for peace in Palestine were echoed.

Other winners from the festival

Best director — Shokir Kholikov for Sunday

Best actress — Mouna Hawa for Inshallah a Boy

Best feature screenplay — Karim Bensalah and Jamal Belmahi for Six Feet Over

Best cinematic contribution — Omen, directed by Baloji

Best short film — Suitcase by Saman Hosseinpuor and Ako Zanhkarim

Short jury prize — Somewhere in Between by Dahlia Nemlich

Audience awards for best Saudi film — Norah, by Tawfik Alzaidi

Best international film — Hopeless by Kim Chang-Hoon

Best documentary — Kauother Ben Hania for Four Daughters