Daily Times

Model and activist Kami Sid’s film ‘Rani’ is set to be screened at the coveted Cannes Film Festival 2019, according to latest media reports.

News reports suggest that Kami Sid, who fights for the transgender community’s rights in Pakistan, is set to have her short film showcased at the international film gala’s Short Film Corner.

In a statement, the film’s production company, GrayScale Productions, said, “‘Rani’ has been selected by the London Film Academy to be part of a special showcase of films, at the Short Film Corner of the Festival de Cannes! The Short Film Corner runs from May 20 till May 25, at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival.”

Written and directed by Hammad Rizvi and produced by Akbar Allana and Sara Siddiqi, the film portrays the life of a Pakistan transgender woman – played by Sid – who sells toys for a living in the country’s economic and financial hub, Karachi, and plans to adopt a cast-off child.

The film’s story brings to limelight multiple challenges that come Sid’s way.

Back in 2018, ‘Rani’ was shortlisted as one of the finalists for the 13th Annual NBC Universal Short Film Festival. It was one of the six movies selected for the final screening from a pool of over 3,500 films.

Prior to that, the short film was screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival in the US as part of ‘A Short Moment of Decision’ programme.