Mahira Khan’s controversial film ‘Verna’ and Sanam Saeed’s intense family drama ‘Cake’ played to packed houses at the second edition of the Pakistan Film Festival in New York on Saturday. The festival was held in the presence of some of the biggest stars of the Pakistani movie industry. Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi said that the films being screened during the two-day event convey the country’s energy and dynamism. “We have organised this festival to both acknowledge the remarkable revival of the Pakistan cinema and to showcase and celebrate it,” the Pakistani envoy told a large and enthusiastic audience gathered in the spacious hall of the Asia Society. ‘7 Din Mohabat In,’ ‘Parchi,’ played to packed houses, while on Sunday Na Band Na Baraati, Punjab Nahi Jaongi, and Lala Begum will be shown.Also on Sunday, Oscar award winner Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy will participate in the festival’s special segment titled “Beyond the Oscars,” in which she will discuss her present and future work as well as challenges faced by Pakistan’s film industry. Her animated film, 3 Bahadur was screened during the First Film Festival in New York in December 2016. Published in Daily Times, July 13th 2018.