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 seventh edition of Patakha Pictures, a six-month filmmaking mentorship and funding program, with Stories She Tells.

Launched to empower and support a new generation of Pakistani storytellers, Patakha Pictures’ programs provide mentorship and funding for filmmakers to create short documentaries that illuminate important issues and resonate with global audiences. Since launching in 2022, Patakha Pictures’ mentorship programs have supported 61 filmmakers, winning over 20 awards and being screened at more than 50 festivals across the world – from New York to Seoul, Montreal to Milan, and Karachi to Canberra.

The selected fellows for the seventh edition of Patakha Pictures, working in four pairs, will explore stories of resilience across the themes of women’s empowerment, music and culture, and climate change, developing short documentaries that amplify underrepresented voices and narratives from across Pakistan. The program is designed to equip women filmmakers with the tools, mentorship, and funding they need to shape powerful, personal stories rooted in truth and identity. Selected Fellows for Stories She Tells are:

1. Faryal Diwan and Syeda Abqurah Shaukat (Karachi, Sindh)

• Maryam Missal and Mahjabeen Abid (Multan, Punjab)

• Mehrosh Alam and Sana Hussain (Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

• Fizza Kanwal and Sumbal Khokhar (Quetta, Balochistan)

This program will cover storytelling, narrative development, character building, direction, sound design, editing, and more. The program will culminate in a celebratory closing event in Karachi, officially launching the completed films.

“With every edition of Patakha Pictures, we’re investing in the future of storytelling by supporting young women who are discovering their creative voice through film. Stories She Tells is not just a mentorship program but our commitment to arts funding and to creating a safe space where emerging filmmakers can take risks, experiment, and grow. These eight fellows are a powerful reminder of the talent and imagination that exists across Pakistan,” said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Founder, Patakha Pictures

“We’re excited to see such a dynamic and promising cohort selected for this edition of the documentary film mentorship programme. The concept notes submitted by these eight women reflect both creativity and a deep engagement with important topics. We look forward to supporting their learning journeys and witnessing their stories come to life through powerful, thoughtful filmmaking.” said Maarya Rehman, Deputy Director Pakistan, British Council.