Pakistani film “Lamha” bags two awards at New York Film Festival

E-Paper | October 09, 2026

Pakistani film “Lamha” bags two awards at New York Film Festival

Dawn.com Published August 17, 2012

Mohib Mirza, Aamina Sheikh, Meher Jafri, Mansoor Mujahid pose at the screening of Lamha (Seedlings) at the New York City International Film Festival. – Photo from Twitter

aamina-sheikh-mohib-meher-mujahid-670

Mohib Mirza, Aamina Sheikh, Meher Jaffri, Mansoor Mujahid pose at the screening of Lamha (Seedlings) at the New York City International Film Festival. – Photo from Twitter

KARACHI: Pakistani film “Lamha (Seedlings)” bagged two awards at the New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF), which concluded early Friday.

“Lamha” won the Best Feature Film - Audience Award and its leading lady Aamina Sheikh won the Best Actress in Leading Role award in a late-night ceremony at the Angelika Film Centre in New York, NY.

The film was nominated in five other categories, including Best Actor in Leading Role (Mohib Mirza), Best Actor in Supporting Role (Gohar Rasheed), Best Score, Best Original Screenplay (Summer Nicks) and Best Director (Mansoor Mujahid).

“Lamha” was nominated for the Best Feature Film award category, which it did not manage to win. However, it did get the audience’s attention and ended up with the Audience Award.

Meanwhile, Argentinian director Emiliano Romero bagged the Best Feature Film award for his film “Moles”. Lautaro Delgado, playing the lead role for “Moles”, won the award for Best Lead Actor. Jorgo Papavassiliou bagged the Best Director Award in the Feature Film category for “Slave”.

Lamha weaves through the life of a young couple Maliha (Sheikh) and Raza (Mirza) and those affected by their deep struggle to reconnect after the loss of their only child in a tragic accident.

The film’s premiere at the festival, on August 10, was a sold out affair at the Tribeca Cinema.

Entertainment

Fauzi Zamir

Aug 17, 2012 04:24pm

Awesome. Proud of your accomplishment. Way to go Meher!

Recommend 0

G.a

Aug 17, 2012 05:08pm

Good work! My only concern with recent Pakistani movies like Bol, Khuda Ke Liye, Ramchand Pakistani etc is that they move in really slow motion. There is hardly any laughter and are utterly depressing. It's like drama serials on the big screen. This depression is really unhealthy for the nation. Our songs have no spark in them either. Look at the powerful rhythms of Bollywood music. It gets you on your feet. Escapism is what people need.

Recommend 0

Urooj

Aug 18, 2012 03:03pm

You do know that that movie actually highlighted the surgeon who was helping these women, right? Thus the name, Saving Face? Or is that too hard a concept for you to grasp?

Recommend 0

Dev

Aug 17, 2012 05:19pm

There were thousands of entries which defines the amazing quality of this film SEEDLINGS.

Recommend 0

Khan

Aug 18, 2012 03:56pm

Yeah, Pak movies are greatest in the whole universe!!

Recommend 0

Karim

Aug 24, 2012 02:07am

Just like the actress who played the part in a Pakistani movie depicting a women that was brutalized her face burned with acid, she won an oscar award; guess people will always enjoy the films and some will be envious of islamic nations to improve their quality of skills. On the other hand you have your own countrymen some that will always try to hold us back. So my friends give Credit where it is due..I thought this movie was great! Karim

Recommend 0

Jay

Aug 17, 2012 10:06am

Asok Bhai there were more than 20 entries- and the Pakistanis did an excellent job? Now show a bit more generosity and congratulate these kids for an excellent job. Perhaps even send them Gathias and Churma ladoos from across the border.

Recommend 0

Saad

Aug 17, 2012 04:57pm

Hats off to the team for bringing out a softer image of Pakistan!!

Recommend 0

Misbah

Aug 17, 2012 10:07am

I am so happy to read this ... when the newspapers are full of depressing stories, news like these reinstate the confidence that YES, we can do it! Keep up the good work!

Recommend 0

Sana

Aug 17, 2012 04:32pm

Great stuff. But someone please get in touch with the relevant folks and fix the spelling of the writer's caption (a Mr Summer Something). Currently it states him as the 'Writter'. Come on, guys, he's the 'Writer'!!

Recommend 0

Imran

Aug 17, 2012 03:59pm

Why cant we just praise this as an act of art and not associate this with "pakistan", "muslim" and what else. We strongly criticize the fact that Muslims are associate with bad thing globally, but then we do the same. We praise anything that is Pakistani irrespective of the content and quality. We must praise these artists for winning the award as artists.

Recommend 0

Nasser Ali Khan

Aug 17, 2012 10:57am

There is nothing wrong, in fact to learn from others, if you think it is a positive thing. This way you better yourself. But following Bollywood is the worst you can do. Pakistanis should learn to be creative and at the same time learn from others irrespective of who they are as long as they feel it's right. For example, there are good points to pick up good points from Bol Bachan. I would go exactly the opposite way as far as Salman Khan films are concerned (I know they are very popular, but this is my considered view).

Recommend 0

Zahid

Aug 17, 2012 10:24am

Errr, we are not talking about Kerala film festival here........it is the New York film festival. New York is a city in the United States!! United States is a country. Please use the dictionary in case you cant understand any of the words in this post!

Recommend 0

Daniel

Aug 18, 2012 10:46am

u are one of the factors that dont allow pakistan to advance in anything

Recommend 0

Sharique

Aug 17, 2012 03:34pm

easy!

Recommend 0

MAJanjua

Aug 17, 2012 03:34pm

No doubt, Pakistani's are second to none if they muster determination to achieve they can reach any heights. Well done youngsters lead the people to success, Pakistani youth has tremendous potential an we all should be proud of them.

Recommend 0

Dr Wequar Ali khan

Aug 17, 2012 03:20pm

Following on the heels of " Face", "Lamha" is another Pakistani film to bag such honor internationally; Congratulation to the younger generation of Pakistan. We the elder generation look towards you for future of Pakistan in all spheres.

Recommend 0

zamurad khan

Aug 17, 2012 03:21pm

I feel sorry for your ignorance.

Recommend 0

saythetruth

Aug 17, 2012 03:18pm

Yep, they always find a way to write some thing negative. Don't know much about the movie but there is no shortage of talent in Pakistan. Pakistan will rise again ISA simply matter of time.

Recommend 0

Shujaat Ayub Khan

Aug 17, 2012 03:15pm

Yes Mahraja Ashok there were others and a few from India too.

Recommend 0

awais

Aug 17, 2012 03:15pm

tch tch tch, bht apsos hua ap ki soch jan k, u guys never fail to show ur true colors, and well done team Lamha!!

Recommend 0

Shujaat Ayub Khan

Aug 17, 2012 03:12pm

Good job and keep up the good work.

Recommend 0

walkerjay

Aug 17, 2012 02:47pm

Great going, fellow South Asians. I dearly hope some at least of you and your film visit Bangalore at some point.

Recommend 0

Riaz Murtaza

Aug 17, 2012 02:19pm

Now, we want to see another very good Pakistani film winning and get some awards in an international film festival. A film showing Pakistan in good light only ! I am sure it is possible, country has the talent.

Recommend 0

kdspirited

Aug 17, 2012 02:18pm

Job well done. Our tremendous talent is insurmountable and will outshine others in the future as well. So proud

Recommend 0

Aug 17, 2012 01:51pm

Congratulations! Wonderful achievement..

Recommend 0

Nasiroski

Aug 17, 2012 03:46pm

C'mon guys that's not nice!!!

Recommend 0

Mubeen

Aug 17, 2012 10:30am

Snake spitting venom,as always

Recommend 0

Mehdi

Aug 17, 2012 10:45am

Well done Pakistani talents. We can see the results of our former Information Minister who strategically promoted Pakistani talents through initiative for them to excel. I wonder if current Info. Minister will take a note on this critical successful news and promote our entertainment industry through more participated decision from the talented folks from within our entertainment industry-the ones who are truly qualified. We are proud of you-The Winners!

Recommend 0

Cyrus Howell

Aug 20, 2012 05:00am

I don't know any Pakistani with a sense of humour.

Recommend 0

saythetruth

Aug 18, 2012 12:34pm

Nice to who !!!!!!!!!! our neighbor is working day and night trying to find something always wrong with everything that we do, C'mon wakeup.

Recommend 0

khadagg chaudary

Aug 18, 2012 10:56am

congratulation to the team of Lamhe. well done. would like to watch this movie . Other pakistani movie i saw was bol and khuda key liye.. both were good movie. regards

Recommend 0

Cyrus Howell

Aug 20, 2012 04:56am

These movies do have a following in the big cities where some movie house advertize only foreign films. It is a different circuit, but the film will be seen by audiences in America. Obviously not the vast audiences Walt Disney and Sony Pictures and United Artists show in the theaters. I can think of three theaters where it will be in Chicago. It just won't have the big distributors. It will make it onto DVDs.

Recommend 0

Genious

Aug 17, 2012 11:16am

absolutly rite- like the sharmeen chinoy did it before

Recommend 0

wahab

Aug 17, 2012 11:55am

Congrats! its a commerical film , hope now after foreign stamp, paki cinemas will show it and people will go n watch it

Recommend 0

Abbas Khan

Aug 17, 2012 01:17pm

I was at the Film Festival and it was a proud moment for everyone.

Recommend 0

@RameshManghirma

Aug 17, 2012 06:33am

Congratulations and Best of Luck

Recommend 0

Khanzada

Aug 17, 2012 03:10pm

This further confirms that Pakistani Film makers and overall artisitic talent is now reaching world class standards! All we lack is money in terms of funding that India has in plentiful! I will add that Sharmeen Chinoy's work and others like it that expose the ugly side of inhuman, barbaric practices in rural and tribal Pakistan must continue to name and shame those who are the culprits and force the bloody useless, evil, and corruptPPP Govt. and bloody useless polticians to take some action to change these barbaric laws and customs that bring shame to the nation! Pakistan is one of the most backward places in the world due to these tribal customs and only international pressure and shame can bring about some changes to help the poor and victims of injustice!

Recommend 0

ahmad butt

Aug 17, 2012 06:43am

At least something to be proud of considering how the olympics squad esp hockey and then the cricket team fared.

Recommend 0

adam

Aug 17, 2012 07:47am

congrats

Recommend 0

Vijay

Aug 17, 2012 03:54pm

I want to congratulate the film crew on winning the prize. I also want to point out that 'Malik - Aus' is guilty of the same offense that he accuses some Indians of, with his comment 'part of their upbringing and culture'.

Recommend 0

raza

Aug 17, 2012 08:53am

Well done i always say and firmly believe we can do wonders as we have no dearth of talent and zest and fervor and the energy to out perform any one or any nation.

Recommend 0

Owais

Aug 17, 2012 08:58am

Nice job

Recommend 0

Essjay

Aug 17, 2012 09:17am

Congrats. I hope, people who thought only the films that show Pakistan in bad light win awards in the west will take notice.

Recommend 0

ashok k. bhatia

Aug 17, 2012 09:40am

Were their ant other enteries or just this one??just wondering

Recommend 0

One Pakistani

Aug 17, 2012 09:40am

Congratulations! We are proud of the Pakistani talent. They need to be creative like in this film. There is no need to follow others but Pakistani film industry and media try to create niche market for their innovative products which truly represent Pakistan and Pakistanis. Best wishes.

Recommend 0

Malik - Aus

Aug 17, 2012 09:49am

see some indians here, good they are reading but hope they are good humans as well.... seems like they want to use this as well as they abuse TOI, (part of their upbringing and culture) i suppose... any before this carries me away... i congrat to the film team!!!! well done to make us all proud.... its surely we make quality not quantity..... ;)

Recommend 0

napak

Aug 17, 2012 09:57am

surprising! lol!

Recommend 0

Pete

Aug 17, 2012 06:02pm

Is there an 'identity' of pakistan? Hmm.. what is it??

Recommend 0

khalid mohammad

Aug 17, 2012 06:37pm

what a superb film, lol. ek tha tiger earns 50 crores on the opening day itself. this is called commercially successful film. awards will not feed actors, actresses, or directors or pakistani film industry. u guys need to make films which rule the box office. how many cinemas in North America are playing this so called movie. Check any big cinema in USA or Canada, most of them are playing at least 1 of bollywood movies or even Punjabi movies are being played and running houseful. In a nutshell, good movies does not mean successful movies. start making commercially successful movies.

Recommend 0

amber

Aug 17, 2012 07:09pm

yeh dhuan sa kahan se uthta hai!

Recommend 0

Gerry D'Cunha

Aug 17, 2012 07:10pm

Give credit where credit is due. Well done chaps!!!!!!!!!!

Recommend 0

(Dr.) B.N. Anand

Aug 17, 2012 07:17pm

Sir, Pakistan tv serials at one time were big craze in our country. Even in music Pakistan talent can match and stand out any where in the continent. But not heard much about the movies from across the border. This indeed comes as a pleasant surprise. Hope it is released in our country sometime. I promise to see the movie. I feel,there is nothing wrong in appreciating and even following any good idea or piece of art from any where in the world and that includes Pakistan as well. No reservations on that account. BNA

Recommend 0

Jamal Najmi

Aug 17, 2012 07:28pm

Very well said Ajay. I am a Pakistani and detest what Malik- Aus said and an not particularly fond of people who carry such views on both sides of the border.

Recommend 0

Hasan

Aug 17, 2012 08:13pm

Just to clarify these guys were not the sole winners, there were multiple winners from each category and in some cases more than 10 winners. In addition this event is organized by some third grade American film director, just to make a few extra bucks. I don't see this as such a big deal.

Recommend 0

Khalid

Aug 17, 2012 09:06pm

Well done Pakistan! Sending sincere great prayers your way. May the world soon discover true Pakistan -- Pakistan which is so different from all the negativity propagated in the media. Salam Pakistan!

Recommend 0

jwdhb. gajs

Aug 18, 2012 02:24am

Angelika Film Centre in New York is a cinema theatre. an award at cinema theatre, good for you. ha ha ha

Recommend 0

Shery Baloch

Aug 18, 2012 02:43am

Very well done Eafa and Nadir. Keep up the good work i know there is lot of talent .

Recommend 0

Ghaza;a

Aug 18, 2012 03:55am

A well-deserved victory! Saw the movie on August 14th, and liked it.

Recommend 0

Mokar

Aug 18, 2012 04:11am

SOunds like a copy of Nicole Kidmans, Rabbit Hole. Please do some thing original u guys!!!!

Recommend 0

imtiaz

Aug 18, 2012 04:41am

rare achievement from pakistan.....lol...maybe u got lucky

Recommend 0

Nabila

Aug 18, 2012 04:53am

Congrats, it is really to be proud of.

Recommend 0

RS Parekh

Aug 18, 2012 07:53am

Females taking part in films is unislamic. How can people go against the dictat of Quran? Allah will never forgive them.

Recommend 0

Saad (DXB)

Aug 18, 2012 08:59am

My dear friend, In Pakistan, we only make a handful of movies in a year, but most f not all, are of good quality.. Unlike bollywood, Pakistan's film industry is not a commercial business and film makers have to work extra hard or they risk losing their money and reputation forever. There are some excellent movies out there, made by Pakistan in the recent years.. 'Bol' (Say), 'Ramchand Pakistani' and Khuda kay Liye' (In the name of God) are the prominent ones.

Recommend 0

Saad (DXB)

Aug 18, 2012 09:00am

Clearly, Pakistani movies are beyond your bollywood caliber intellect my friend

Recommend 0

Hafeez Ch.

Aug 18, 2012 09:26am

Stop promoting PPP. He did nothing to promote this industry.

Recommend 0

Hafeez Ch.

Aug 18, 2012 09:35am

It mean you have doubt on New York City International Film Festival (NYCIFF) peoples. Think again.

Recommend 0

mmymasood

Aug 18, 2012 06:47pm

Congratulations and Good Luck, you can do even more, keep your moral high and we are standing besides you all.

Recommend 0

tts

Aug 19, 2012 05:32am

excellent work

Recommend 0

Cyrus Howell

Aug 20, 2012 04:14am

If it was only that easy.

Recommend 0

Cyrus Howell

Aug 20, 2012 04:16am

It will make money in America. I guarantee.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

OMODA & JAECOO Nishat celebrates 15,000 units as JAECOO J7 marks first anniversary with a Special Beige Interior Edition

The achievement builds on the brand’s earlier milestone of 10,000 locally assembled units, reached just eight months after the first locally assembled vehicle was delivered in December 2025.