“Parwaz Dar Shab” (Flying in Darkness), a Pakistani short film displaying the massacre of Shiites and Hazaras in Pakistan won the Best Short Film Award at 12^th HAK-IS International Short Film Contest in Ankara, Turkey. The film stood out among an impressive pool of 4430 entries from around the world, solidifying its place as a captivating and globally recognized piece of cinematic art.

This is the 19^th International award that the short-film has bagged so far. Previously, this short film was nominated in two international festivals in Baku and Istanbul.

The film narrates the hardships of the family of a Hazara victim in the bloody attacks of 2015 and 2018 in the city of Quetta, depicting the pain and suffering faced by the Hazaras as a result of targeted attacks.

Between 2018 and 2015, Pakistani Hazaras, most of whom live in the city of Quetta, witnessed deadly attacks in which hundreds of people were killed. Most of these attacks were carried out by extremist groups, including Lashkar Jhangvi and Lashkar Taiba.

Hussain Ali Yousafi, chairman of the Pakistan Hazara Democratic Party (HDP), was also assassinated in one of these attacks in 2009 by Lashkar Jhangvi.

Parwaz Dar Shab (Flying in Darkness)

Director and Writer: Safar Ali Danish

Producer: Safar Ali Danish, Aun Ul Haider

Release Date: April 2022

Cast: Howra Batool, Nargis Batool, Abdullah Jan Ghaznavi, Najeeb Hazara, Mirza Husssain Hazara

Storyline

Najeeba is a young girl, yet eldest daughter left in the family, to run demised father’s vegetable vendor, who recently martyred in an explosion at the fruit market in Hazar Ganji, Quetta. While living in a male dominant society, she is to confront the harsh realities that make her take some tough life decisions.

About the Director

Safar Ali Danish is an award-winning filmmaker based in Quetta, Pakistan. He graduated from Iqra University, Karachi with a degree in Film & TV. As the founder of the first production house in Quetta, Filmsaaz Production is a pioneer in the film industry in the region. He has Produced, wrote, directed and edited many documentaries and short films. He has received 16 international awards & 20 official selections for his short film “Parwaz Dar Shab” and has been recognized for his documentary films as well. His work aims to convey the unique experiences and perspectives of the people in his community to the world. He is passionate about using film as a medium to raise awareness and promote social change.

Source: Instagram