Pakistani filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat celebrated a historic milestone as his latest film, Lali, made its world premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on Thursday. Screened in the Berlinale’s Panorama section, the film is the first fully Pakistani feature to debut at the festival, showcasing local talent in acting, production, and storytelling.
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The premiere at 3:30pm Berlin time (7:30pm PKT) turned into a vibrant celebration of Pakistan’s independent film community. Actors, writers, producers, assistant directors, and crew members, including executive producer Tooba Siddiqui, walked the red carpet together, capturing the moment on social media as a collective triumph.
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The film follows Zeba, portrayed by Mamya Shajaffar, a young woman newly married to the insecure Sajawal. Zeba, already burdened by whispers of superstition that three of her former suitors mysteriously died, struggles against the shadow of her unsettling reputation as a “cursed bride.” Shajaffar, wearing a custom Kamiar Rokni ensemble for the premiere, expressed gratitude on social media, calling the experience “addictive” and thanking the Berlinale and the film’s team for the opportunity.
Ahead of the screening, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Germany, Saqlain Syedah, hosted the Lali team, capturing moments of camaraderie and excitement. The film had been officially selected for the festival on February 5, and will continue screenings through the festival’s closing on February 22.
Read More: Sarmad Khoosat’s Lali to premiere at 76th Berlin Film Festival
For Khoosat, Lali adds to an impressive international trajectory. His previous projects, including Joyland, which won the Jury Prize at Cannes, and Zindagi Tamasha, Pakistan’s official Academy Awards submission, have solidified his reputation for producing cinema that resonates globally. With Lali, Khoosat places a fully homegrown Pakistani production on one of the world’s most prestigious cinematic stages, marking a new milestone for national filmmaking.