ISLAMABAD: Pakistani filmmaker and anthropologist Samar Minallah won an international award for her short film Out Swing which was declared the best short film at the 7th Sport Film Festival in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The win was announced on Twitter where the film creator was lauded for her work.

After the announcement of the winner of the 7th Sport Film Festival, Ms Minallah received many congratulations on social media across the globe.

The short, which is posted on Vimeo, is described as: “On the outskirts of Islamabad, a committed coach teaches a team of unlikely players, their families and a community how playing Cricket can change lives.”

The documentary trails a devoted coach who teaches cricket to young girls who find comfort and strength in learning the sport. The girls hail from traditional families where the youngest, at nine years old, wants to overcome her fears, anxiety and personal battles with the help of school and cricket.

In cricket terminology, out-swing means something that moves away from the lines of bowling. It comes with the risks of being called a wide ball but it could also be a game changer for the team.

Similarly, the coach in the film goes against the odds risking his life, with the girls ‘moving away’ from the norms and traditions women are expected to follow.

Samar Minallah’s other works include Swara — A Bridge over Troubled Waters, a documentary that raised questions around the practice that violates rights of a girl child and women. Swara is a term associated with forced marriages. The documentary gained international recognition for highlighting a sensitive yet important topic and drawing attention towards “compensation marriages”.

Minallah has won several international awards including Premio Roberto Rossellini 2009, The DVF Award 2015, and UNICEF Child Rights Award.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2021