Pakistani Film The Curfew Shines at Venice Biennale 2025

Pakistani film The Curfew has created a proud moment for the country by making it to the Venice Biennale 2025. Directed by Shehrezad Maher, the 19-minute short film is Pakistan’s only official selection at this year’s festival, which took place on 4 September.

The Story of Pakistani Film The Curfew

The film tells the emotional story of Ayaan, a Pakistani American who looks after his ailing grandmother. Their bond is challenged by a language barrier, but they find ways to communicate and understand each other.

The Curfew explores deeper themes of history, colonial influence, and how the past still leaves its mark on the present.

Star Cast and Production Team

The film features talented actors including Sathya Sridharan, Balinder Johal, Sara Haider, Rajesh Bose, Chris Thorn, and Salwa Khan.

It is produced by Lindsay Blair Goeldner and Meetra Javed, with cinematography by Dustin Lane and production design by Ana Novacic. The film is being distributed by Fae Pictures and Baby Daal Productions.

Shehrezad Maher’s Achievements

Shehrezad Maher, a New York-based filmmaker and artist, has already earned global recognition. She won the 2023 Islamic Scholarship Fund’s National Film Grant for The Curfew.

Her previous works have been showcased at respected platforms such as Visions du Réel, RIDM, LA Film Forum, Anthology Film Archives, UnionDocs, and Experiments in Cinema.

Her upcoming feature script, Theory of Colors, was selected for the 2023 Hamptons Film Screenwriters Lab and also received multiple prestigious awards including the Melissa Mathison Screenwriters Fund.

Pakistani Films at Venice Biennale

This year, The Curfew stood as the only Pakistani representation at Venice. Previously, in 2019, Saim Sadiq’s Darling made headlines by winning Best Short Film at the festival.

With such films, Pakistani cinema is making its mark on international platforms, opening doors for more diverse stories to reach the global audience.

Streaming Release of The Curfew

After completing its festival circuit, The Curfew will be available for streaming online, making it accessible to a wider audience around the world.