Film festival at Reel Cinema celebrates Pakistani and Kashmiri culture

Film festival at Reel Cinema celebrates Pakistani and Kashmiri culture

A film festival which aims to celebrate Pakistani and Kashmiri language and culture is set to return to Reel Cinema next month.

Organised by Kashmiri Productions, the PAK Film Festival will air on 11 August, and is hoping to once again draw in an audience from Rochdale borough and beyond.

Zafar Iqbal, the festival director, said: "The PAK Film Festival, previously known as the AJK Film Festival, has become a great success story among Pakistani and Kashmiri communities due to the unique nature of the project.

This year, we are dedicating the third instalment in honour of the newly elected mayor, Councillor Shakil Ahmed. We are very grateful to Action Together and Cartwheel Arts for supporting us in organising this event."

Iqbal also highlighted the importance of volunteers, stating, "We will acknowledge our volunteers through presentations of appreciation certificates and a dinner because volunteers matter.

This year, we have an incredible lineup of productions for maximum community engagement and entertainment. As always, it’s a free community event. Some people can’t travel to their homeland (Pakistan or Azad Kashmir) due to health, financial, or security issues, so we bring Pakistan and Kashmir to them on the big cinema screen."

Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Shakil Ahmed said: “I appreciate the efforts Kashmiri Productions, Zafar Iqbal and volunteers put in to hold such important annual community events.

“I have attended the first two festivals and some of their other community film screenings. I am also very humble that they are holding this event in honour of me becoming the mayor. This event is a great promotion for Rochdale, film production, arts and communities.

“I am looking forward to the event and encourage all to attend."

Councillor Shah Wazir said: “As a councillor and teacher I encourage creative events in the borough for community entertainment and cultural awareness.

“Rochdale is becoming a popular destination for community events like Feel Good Festival, Street Eat Food Festival and for the last couple of years PAK Film Festival is building up just nicely and it brings a different dimension to the town.

“I have attended many festivals and community film screenings by Kashmiri Productions and I look forward to attend the forthcoming festival in August."

To reserve a seat, send an email to: mrzi@hotmail.co.uk