Pakistan Calling

The Samosa, a media platform for the promotion of human rights with a special interest in Britain, South Asia and the Pakistani diaspora, is running a new competition called Pakistan Calling. The project aims to increase awareness and support for Pakistani Civil society organisations and activists working to tackle the country's pressing social problems.

It also seeks to provide cultural understanding and cross-cultural dialogue with the various facets of Pakistani and Asian communities in the UK. The project which is seeking new entries will sponsor filmmakers working in areas such as arts, social welfare and citizen journalism. The project which is co-sponsored by The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce (RSA), aims to support up-and-coming filmmakers in both the UK and Pakistan.

Films already sponsored and showcased include:

Midnight's Grandchildren - A film by Jane Barnwell & Rob Napoletani- A Hindu, A Sikh and a Muslim discuss their experiences of being 'second generation' Asians who grow up in the UK and its effects on their views of identity, nationhood, religion and migration into Britain today. They look at relations between British Islam, Hinduism and Sikh communities, and Britain's changing links with South Asia in today's globalised connecting world. Is the local now global.

Postcards from Lahore - a film from Aatif Nawaz- A young British Pakistani, who has only visited Pakistan once, decides to return. He tries to re-create the memories of that visit and tries to understand what Lahore is today. He goes to the city's landmarks and historic sites and shows what the place has to offer. He meets locals and discusses what the effects of international portrayal of Pakistan have had on them.

Trading for Peace in Kashmir - A film by Ashima Kaul- The film explores how trade between India and Pakistan is helping to promote peace in the disputed region of Kashmir. Ashima travels to Kashmir and interviews local tradesman, activists and ordinary citizens. The film was organised with the help of local correspondence and journalists in Kashmir and Yakjah Organisation who work in Jammu and Kashmir. Kaul is an independent journalist and has an active interest in interfaith dialogue.

There are many more films, interviews and short pieces on their website- the project seeks more films, documentaries, interviews and pieces. Do you have an idea for a film? Or would you like to make one yourself?

Pakistan Calling welcomes your submissions- the project is interested in films about civil society, young people, sectors such as welfare, education, development, human rights, conflict resolution, minority rights, gender and equality, tribal and rural communities, children' s welfare, the environment, health and culture, or cover the arts, culture, social welfare, youth culture and groups working for social change an progress, or relate to direct relationships between Britain and Pakistan such as family, Diaspora, trade, business, heritage, charitable and welfare work.

Usman Butt