Two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, in collaboration with the Scottish Documentary Institute and the British Council, proudly announces the eight fellows selected for the eighth edition of Patakha Pictures, Pakistan’s biggest filmmaking mentorship and funding program, with Claim the Frame.
From Pakistan’s first female drifter and the realities of climate-induced child marriage in rural Sindh to the resilience of families in Cholistan and a self-taught midwife transforming maternal healthcare in Shimshal Valley, this year’s cohort will tell four powerful documentary stories that reflect the complexity, resilience and diversity of Pakistan.
Launched in 2022 under Patakha Pictures, an initiative of SOC Films, the programme was established to nurture the next generation of documentary filmmakers by providing funding, international mentorship and hands-on creative development. Since its inception, Patakha Pictures has supported 69 emerging filmmakers, whose films have collectively won more than 25 awards and screened at over 70 international film festivals across the world.
Selected from across Punjab, Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan, the eight fellows, working in four pairs, will spend the next five months developing four original documentaries. The selected fellows for Claim the Frame are:
- Ishma Areeb and Javaria Waseem (Lahore, Punjab)
- Aleezeh Fatima and Aisha Manzoor (Karachi, Sindh)
- Kinza Waqar Un Nisa Zainab and Jazaba Raheel (Lahore, Punjab)
- Shagufta Rasool and Munira Shah (Hunza and Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan)
The five-month fellowship begins on 15 July 2026 and combines production funding with an intensive mentorship programme designed to support every stage of the filmmaking process. Fellows will participate in workshops covering storytelling, directing, cinematography, editing and documentary production.
Returning for the fourth consecutive year as international mentor, acclaimed documentary filmmaker Noe Mendelle will be joined by an expanded group of distinguished local and international industry professionals, marking a significant evolution in the programme’s mentorship model. For the first time, fellows will benefit from a broader range of creative and technical expertise, bringing diverse perspectives and specialised knowledge to the development of each film. The programme will also introduce individually tailored workshops, designed around the specific needs, ambitions and challenges of each project. This more focused and personalised approach will enable every fellow to receive targeted guidance at each stage of their creative journey.
“In just a few years, Patakha Pictures has brought 69 emerging filmmakers to the global stage. Their numerous international awards and screenings prove one thing: when you back Pakistani talent, the world pays attention. Claim the Frame is the next chapter in this journey, giving a new cohort of storytellers the resources and platform to share their truths with the world”, said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Founder, Patakha Pictures
“We are delighted to launch Claim the Frame, the fourth cycle of the Pakistan Stories partnership between the British Council, Patakha Pictures and SDI Films. Over the past three editions, our partnership has created valuable opportunities for filmmakers to develop their skills, tell authentic stories, and connect with wider audiences. Through Claim the Frame, we are continuing our commitment to creating opportunities for emerging female filmmakers in Pakistan to strengthen their creative practice and bring their unique perspectives to the screen. We look forward to seeing this year’s participants develop powerful stories that resonate with audiences, while building lasting connections within Pakistan and internationally”, said James Hampson Country Director, British Council Pakistan.
The programme will conclude later this year with a showcase in Karachi, where fellows will present their documentary trailers to filmmakers, producers, festival programmers and members of Pakistan’s creative community, marking the next step in bringing these stories to audiences in Pakistan and around the world.
