Karachi : The Pakistan International Film Festival (PIFF) 2025, organized by the Karachi Film Society (KFS) in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Pakistan, commemorated World Intellectual Property Day through a series of impactful events over four days. The initiative, led by HUM Network and PIFF, drew a large and engaged crowd, who appreciated the significance of this cultural milestone.
This prominent gathering attracted the attention of media professionals, academics, entertainment figures, corporate leaders, university students, and filmmakers, marking it as one of the most impactful events in the local film circuit.
On Day 3 of the festival, the much-loved Pakistani film Joon was screened. Written and directed by Babur Ali, the film features Saleem Mairaj as the gangster Daud, while Ashir Wajahat appears as a street sweeper who, after getting entangled with the wrong people, becomes involved in crime. A romantic angle with Romaisa Khan is also portrayed. The film received great interest from the audience. This was followed by the screening of She Chef (2023), directed by Melanie Liebheit and Gereon Wetzel, which showcases the inspiring culinary journey of a young Austrian woman across Michelin-starred kitchens in Europe.
The highlight of Day 3 was the grand and heavily attended premiere of Hundan: An Echo of a Dirge (2025). Present at the event were the film’s director Karamat Ali Huzai, actors Zahid Azeem, Alhanul Kudrat, and Munira Shah, as well as Sindh Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Executive Director of Hashwani Group of Companies Ameen Hashwani, Taha Saleem, S.T. Mustafa, renowned actresses Rubina Ashraf, Hina Bayat Khawaja, Shaniera Qureshi, along with various social representatives, notable personalities, and members of the press.
While addressing the ceremony, the provincial minister praised Sultana Siddiqui, HUM Network, and PIFF for their continued efforts, emphasizing the need to propel Pakistan’s film industry forward. He also assured the Sindh Government’s full support and committed to allocating a dedicated budget for such initiatives.
Sultana Siddiqui, President of HUM Network, expressed her gratitude to the guests — especially Minister Nasir Shah, Taha Saleem, S.T. Mustafa, Ameen Hashwani, Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Rubina Ashraf, journalists, media channels, and friends — and shared her vision for seeing the local film industry thrive. She stated, “Films like Hundan must reach the public. With persistent effort and government support, our talented youth are fully capable of accomplishing great things in the future.”
Attendees praised Hundan and emphasized the need for more films of its kind
About Hundan
Hundan is the first-ever feature film in Burushaski, a language recognized as endangered by UNESCO, and filmed against the breathtaking backdrop of Hunza. Created by a local filmmaker, the film explores environmental challenges in the region.
Shot in the stunning valleys of Hunza, Hundan tells the heart-wrenching story of a shepherd who, after losing his daughter to pneumonia, kills a protected markhor in grief and rage. As ancient folklore begins to unfold, he becomes haunted by ancestral spirits.
Rich in folklore, environmental themes, and cultural identity, the film opens up a deeper conversation about conservation and indigenous wisdom. With its striking cinematography, original narrative, and environmental message, Hundan is expected to earn critical and popular acclaim as the first full-length film in the Burushaski language.
The third day of the festival concluded with the screening of Hundan.
About Pakistan International Film Festival (PIFF)
Organized under the leadership of Sultana Siddiqui by the Karachi Film Society, this year’s PIFF Board takes pride in its impressive lineup of notable figures, including Ameena Saiyid, Ishrat Husain, Ronak Lakhani, Syeda Leghari, Sirajuddin Aziz, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Khursheed Qureshi.
Key partners of PIFF 2025 include:
Goethe-Institut, Ticket Wala, HUM TV, HUM News, IPO Pakistan, Starlinks Events & PR, YPO, and COMP.
About PIFF:
The Pakistan International Film Festival is a flagship initiative of the Karachi Film Society, and remains the country’s largest and most prestigious film platform. It brings together national and international filmmakers, storytellers, policymakers, and audiences to highlight and elevate Pakistan’s cultural narrative on a global stage.
