The Pakistani-Canadian supernatural drama ‘In Flames’ continues its winning streak, securing the prestigious Best First Feature Film Award at the Canadian Screen Week’s final award ceremony. Director Zarrar Kahn, already hailed for his debut, sees another accolade added to his collection after the film previously earned recognition at the Red Sea Film Festival in December.
The award ceremony, hosted by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television at Toronto’s CBC Broadcast Centre, marked the culmination of four days celebrating the outstanding achievements of Canadian talent across film, television, and digital media.
‘In Flames’ boasts a stellar cast including Ramesha Nawal, Bakhtawar Mazhar, Adnan Shah Tipu, Mohammad Ali Hashmi, and Omar Javaid, with its haunting narrative unfolding in contemporary Karachi. Exploring themes of loss, oppression, and resilience, the film follows a mother and daughter grappling with the aftermath of a family tragedy while confronting malevolent forces.
The film’s success extends beyond Canadian shores, having premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023 and later receiving acclaim at the Toronto Film Festival. Its triumphs culminated in winning the Best Movie Award at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah in December of the same year.
During the Canadian Screen Awards, Tammy Frick, CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, lauded the winners, emphasizing their dedication to excellence as the cornerstone of the industry’s prosperity. Notable honorees included the drama series ‘Little Bird,’ the sitcom ‘Children Ruin Everything,’ and the comedy series ‘Bria Mack Gets A Life.’
