Pakistan’s film industry is making a powerful impression on the global stage. The Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF) launches its 11th edition this Monday. MISAFF 2025 in Pakistan is highly anticipated. This year’s festival features one of the strongest Pakistani selections to date. It showcases the country’s vibrant storytelling, regional diversity, and rising independent voices.
Running from November 24 to 30 across multiple venues in Mississauga, MISAFF 2025 presents a standout lineup of Pakistani films. The lineup includes an international premiere, a groundbreaking regional feature, and a critically acclaimed short. The festival provides Pakistani filmmakers with an invaluable platform to connect with North American audiences and global industry professionals.
Leading Pakistan’s showcase is the teleplay “Gidh” (Vulture), written and directed by Kanwal Khoosat and produced by Sarmad Khoosat. Scheduled to premiere on opening day, the film’s selection reflects MISAFF’s confidence in its artistic vision and international resonance.
“Gidh” follows an intense psychological encounter between a married woman, played by Rasti Farooq, and an unexpected visitor, portrayed by Sana Jafri. Through layered, slow-burning conversations, the teleplay uncovers emotional burdens and hidden truths.
Set in Lahore, the story examines the long-term trauma of childhood sexual abuse within South Asian households. Starring Rasti Farooq, Nadia Afgan, and Salman Shahid, the film highlights the generational clash between a culture of silence and the struggles of young women seeking healing and acknowledgment.
The short recently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, an impressive milestone for Pakistan’s independent cinema. It was fully crowd-funded—showcasing the strength and resilience of its indie filmmaking community.
Adding regional and cultural depth to Pakistan’s lineup is “Indus Echoes”, directed by Rahul Aijaz. This Sindhi-language feature—the first in 28 years—gives long-overdue representation to Sindhi culture and cinema. Shot in striking black and white with minimal dialogue and no background score, the film weaves together five interconnected stories. These stories focus on farmers, fishermen, and poets whose lives revolve around the Indus River.
The project offers international audiences an immersive look into Sindhi heritage, environmental challenges, and the river’s profound place in local identity.
MISAFF 2025 will take place at the Living Arts Centre, the Noel Ryan Theatre, and other cultural spaces around Mississauga. The symposium will focus on film financing, distribution, and TV series development—providing Pakistani filmmakers with opportunities to network with established South Asian and global creatives.
The strong Pakistani lineup at MISAFF 2025 highlights the evolving vision of contemporary Pakistani cinema. From a tense psychological teleplay and a socially conscious short to a culturally rich regional feature, these films reflect the creative courage, thematic depth, and narrative sophistication shaping Pakistan’s modern storytelling landscape.
For Pakistani filmmakers, MISAFF is more than a showcase—it is a gateway to cultural exchange, industry collaboration, and international recognition. By spotlighting films like Gidh, Permanent Guest, and Indus Echoes, the festival affirms Pakistan’s growing presence in global cinema.
With its impactful representation at MISAFF 2025, Pakistani cinema continues to expand its global footprint. It balances entertainment, cultural identity, and bold social commentary to secure its place in the international film arena.