It’s that time of year again when celebrities, filmmakers, and artists from around the world gather in the French beach town of Cannes to celebrate films. The Cannes Film Festival happens every year for two weeks in May.
Started in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival is one of the biggest and most talked-about film festivals. It attracts top filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals. The festival has various competitive categories, with the top prize, the Palme d’Or, awarded to the best film. Known for its glamorous red carpet, the Cannes Film Festival is a key event for promoting and celebrating great films. There have been three Pakistani representation moments at such a big event this year.
Erica Robin’s Historic Red Carpet Walk
Erica Robin, a 25-year-old from Karachi, made headlines last year as the first Pakistani beauty queen to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. This year, she captured attention with her debut on the Cannes red carpet. Erica was the youngest woman and beauty queen from Pakistan to walk the red carpet at Cannes 2024. She wore a stunning outfit by famous Pakistani designer Nomi Ansari, representing Pakistan with style and grace.
Pakistani 3D Film ‘The Chronicles of Umro Ayyar’ at Cannes
Ingenuity Productions, a Pakistani 3D production house, is set to showcase its animated feature film ‘The Chronicles of Umro Ayyar’ at the Cannes Film Festival. The film, an adventure story inspired by the classic tale Talisman-e-HoshRuba, follows the legendary hero Umar Ayyar on his thrilling journeys through magical realms and tough challenges.
Pakistan’s Historic Panel at Cannes
The Pakistan Crescent Collective made history at the Cannes Film Festival with a panel discussion featuring the team from Mano Animation Studios. They are the creators of Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated feature, “The Glassworker.” This event gave attendees a sneak peek at the film before its premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
“The Glassworker” made its debut at Cannes, marking a significant milestone as the first film from the subcontinent to be selected for competition at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Competing alongside major Hollywood and Japanese animated films is a huge honor for “The Glassworker.” The panel, moderated by filmmaker Mohammed Ali Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee, discussed the innovative elements and challenges of making “The Glassworker.” Director Usman Riaz and Producer Khizer Riaz shared their experiences and insights, making for an engaging and informative session.
The Cannes Film Festival remains a major event for the film industry, and this year’s participation by Pakistani artists and filmmakers shows their growing influence and recognition on the global stage.