Ramchand Pakistani, Josh directors to judge ‘Heroes of Pakistan’ | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Ramchand Pakistani, Josh directors to judge ‘Heroes of Pakistan’

Pakistan Press Foundation

Karachi: The jury for the national amateur short film competition ‘Heroes of Pakistan’ was announced on Thursday.

“We tried to take on board the best brains,” said a representative of Heroes of Pakistan during a press conference at the Karachi Press Club. “To make a good film you do not always need an expensive camera. Often, a simply shot video with good content is the key.”

Ramchand Pakistani director Mehreen Jabbar, Chambaili writer-producer Shahzad Nawaz, Josh director Iram Parveen Bilal, filmmakers Mumtaz Hussain and Matthew Newton, actress-writer Aizzah Fatima, ethnic marketing expert Stephanie Herold, and digital media guru Sarah Khan have been selected to judge the contest.

The competition requires submission of videos no longer than five minutes. They can be in any language and may be made with a mobile phone camera.

The winners will get a prize of $1,000 (approx Rs107,210), $500 (approx Rs53,605) and $250 (approx Rs26,803). Their videos will be aired on several Pakistani channels and some international channels.

Moreover, they will get a chance to intern at US-based SoundView Broadcasting, which has organised the contest in collaboration with Green Card Capital.

Anyone of any age can participate. The submission deadline is December 31. Complete guidelines can be found on Green Card Capital’s website (www.greencardcapital.com).

Speaking in a video shown on the occasion of the announcement of the panel of judges, Mehreen said, “Heroes of Pakistan is a great initiative. It is an exciting time for television and film back home.”

Terming film a modern form of art, Hussain said judging was a difficult task, while Iram said, “With everything going on in Pakistan, these small courageous films can become the building blocks for the Pakistani society and go on to achieve the Pakistani dream.”

US-based Aizzah said, “My parents come from Pakistan. Judging the contest is my very small way of paying this country back.”

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