KARACHI: Herald Entertainment, a company of the Dawn Media Group, has announced the launch of Dawn Films, a subsidiary which would be producing feature films.

The company, as a first step, signed a contract with Matteela Films on Monday to jointly produce films this year, said a press statement.

Herald Entertainment will be looking at multiple such productions.

The joint venture between Herald Entertainment and Matteela Films, known for their award-winning and critically acclaimed film Zinda Bhaag, promises to add an important chapter to an already formidable new wave of Pakistani cinema.

“We are excited to be a part of the emerging film industry in Pakistan. We intend to bring the highest quality of films to the Pakistani viewers. The revival of cinema in Pakistan is an exciting opportunity.

“We hope to play our role in bringing Pakistani films to the level of the best in the world.

“Matteela shares our values and believes in the power of cinema so this will be a very productive and unique venture,” said Nazafreen Saigol, the chief executive officer of Herald Entertainment.

“Pakistan’s cinematic journey has just begun and there are so many stories out there that need to be told not only to the local audience but globally, and this production venture is just a start in that direction,” said Mazhar Zaidi, the CEO of Matteela Films.

“There couldn’t be a more exciting time for filmmakers in Pakistan as we are in the process of giving shape to a new film industry and the stories we choose to tell now will go a long way in determining what Pakistani cinema of the future looks like,” said Meenu and Farjad, directors of the Matteela Films.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2016