The 5th UCP FMMC Film Festival 2025, hosted by the Faculty of Media and Mass Communication (FMMC), University of Central Punjab, was held on December 23-24, 2025. Over two days, the festival brought together young filmmakers, educators, and creative minds from across Pakistan to celebrate the art of storytelling.
This year’s festival showcased Short films, Documentaries, and Music videos by university students and independent filmmakers, reflecting diverse themes, fresh perspectives, and growing technical skills. One of the festival’s highlights was its international reach, with films received from Iran, Brazil, South Korea, Russia, and the United Kingdom, giving students a rare chance to witness global storytelling under one roof in Lahore.
Another milestone was the continuous screening of five films in Lahore, showing the growing confidence of universities in supporting emerging filmmakers and serious film activities.
The festival was organised under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Fawad Baig, Dean FMMC and Convener of the Festival, whose vision guided the event with excellence. Prof. Dr. Hammad Naveed, Pro-Rector UCP, also honoured the guests and participants with shields as a gesture of appreciation. Their support and encouragement have been pivotal in making the festival a respected platform for young talent.
The success of the festival was made possible by a dedicated faculty and core team:
Mr. Muhammad Kamran Butt (Principal Lecturer & Team Lead)
Mr. Muhammad Shahid (Principal Lecturer)
Mr. Rehman Nasir (Principal Lecturer)
Mr. Omer Saeed Qureshi (Lecturer)
Mr. Hamza Ayub (Lecturer)
Ms. Maryiam Idress (Lecturer)
Mr. Syed Ali Mazhair (Lecturer)
The smooth execution and technical support were managed by team management Unzal Khan and media team Samraiz Gull, ensuring every session ran perfectly.
Day One: Literature on the Screen 5th UCP FMMC Film Festival
The first day featured a panel discussion titled Literature on the Screen, moderated by Mr. Muhammad Kamran Butt. Esteemed panelists Mr. Sarmad Sehbai, screenwriter, director, and poet, and Mr. Salman Shahid, renowned film and TV actor, shared insights on transforming literary ideas into visual narratives.
Day two: From Idea to Visuals
Day Two featured a film talk titled From Idea to Visuals: Exploring Film as an Art, with Mr. Sarmad Sultan Khoosat (Filmmaker & Actor), Ms. Amna Mufti (Screenwriter & Novelist), and Ms. Kanwal Khoosat (Director & Producer). They discussed the creative process, challenges in filmmaking, and the journey from concept to screen, inspiring young filmmakers to think critically and creatively.
Festival Awards:
The festival celebrated outstanding talent by awarding first-place winners in each category:
Documentary (1st Place): Songs of Steel – Hassam Iqbal
Short Film (1st Place): Muqaddas – Khursam Zaidi
Music Video (1st Place): Zuwal – Nabeel Wazir
Since its launch in 2021, the UCP FMMC Film Festival has completed five editions. Each year, it has grown in scope, quality, and impact, providing a professional platform for students to showcase their work, learn from industry experts, and gain recognition.
The 5th UCP FMMC Film Festival 2025 once again demonstrated that FMMC is not only teaching media but shaping the next generation of Pakistani filmmakers, combining learning, creativity, and collaboration in a truly remarkable way.
