Sheryar Ali and Suhail Ahmad are showcasing Pakistani short films on the international stage with two distinct works that have drawn strong festival attention and critical praise. Both projects blend local themes with universal storytelling, and the filmmakers are preparing to bring these stories to Pakistani audiences soon.
A Door to My Memory (Yaadan de Boohay) is a Punjabi sci-fi romantic drama that had its world premiere at the Tasveer Film Festival in Seattle, the only Oscar-qualifying South Asian film festival. Directed by Sheryar Ali and produced by Suhail Ahmad, the film follows Ashfaq, a 65-year-old man who
struggles as his external memory drives fill up, creating a poignant metaphor for love, loss and the fragility of human connection. The film has gone on to secure official selections at several Indian festivals including the Bollywood International Film Festival and the International Kolkata Short Film Festival, and is a semi-finalist at the Global Taj International Film Festival.
Toxicity, co-directed by Suhail Ahmad and Sheryar Ali, had its world premiere at the Festival Internazionale Nebrodi Cinema Doc in Sicily and was the only Pakistani film selected at the event. The short earned a nomination for Best Narrative Short and received a Menzione d’Onore from the jury. The film tackles Pakistan’s smog crisis through the story of two young entrepreneurs who risk everything to prove that clean energy can save lives as pollution suffocates Lahore, making the film both timely and deeply relevant to local communities.
Both titles demonstrate how Pakistani short films can engage international audiences while addressing issues that resonate at home. With the global momentum behind these projects, the filmmakers are now planning local releases so audiences in Pakistan can view and discuss these films that blend social concern with inventive storytelling.
