IVS Film Festival 2025 Celebrates the Future of Pakistani Storytelling

The Department of Communication Design at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS) successfully concluded the third edition of the IVS Film Festival (IVSFF) — a three-day celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the evolving landscape of filmmaking in Pakistan.

Held from 12th to 14th September 2025, the festival brought together emerging filmmakers, industry professionals, and educators through an exciting line-up of screenings, workshops, and panel discussions exploring contemporary practices in film and digital media.

A Platform for Emerging Voices

This year’s IVS Film Festival received over 270 submissions from across Pakistan, from which 37 short films were selected for screening. The curated programme included a wide range of genres, with documentaries and animations introduced as new categories for the first time.

Screenings were accompanied by six professional workshops and a bootcamp for A-Level and Intermediate students, creating a dynamic space for learning, mentorship, and experimentation.

Opening Panel: From Silver Screen to Digital Screens

The festival opened on 12th September with a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Social Media Filmmakers: From the Silver Screen to Digital Screens.”
The session featured Ali Gul Pir, Asad ul Haq, Azaan Sami Khan, and Patangeer (Amtul Baweja and Fahad Pervez), and was moderated by Pheby Haroon.

Panelists reflected on the transformation of storytelling in Pakistan’s digital era — discussing opportunities for young filmmakers to use short-form platforms, the importance of authenticity in content creation, and how digital media continues to amplify diverse narratives and underrepresented voices.

Industry Insights: AI and the Future of Film

On Day Two, audiences experienced back-to-back screenings of selected films, followed by a special session by Stimulus Productions titled “Let’s Talk AI: Reimagining Film and Advertising Production.”
The discussion explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping creative processes, production workflows, and the future of cinema and advertising — offering students valuable insights into the intersection of technology and storytelling.

Closing Day: Educating Through the Lens

The festival concluded on 14th September with final screenings and an engaging panel discussion, “Educating Through the Lens: Integrating Films Into Learning.”
Panelists Atiya Zaidi, Saife Hasan, Gul Zaib Shakeel, and Farooq Rind shared perspectives on how film can serve as a powerful pedagogical tool — encouraging empathy, reflection, and social dialogue within educational contexts.

The evening culminated in an awards ceremony, where outstanding filmmakers were recognized for their excellence in storytelling, creativity, and technical execution, with awards and cash prizes presented across multiple categories.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Storytellers Through its diverse programming and industry engagement, IVSFF 2025 reaffirmed IVS’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative voices — equipping students and young filmmakers with the skills, critical thinking, and platforms they need to shape the future of storytelling in Pakistan and beyond.