Sarmad Khoosat Wins Best Director Award for Lali at DC South Asian Film Festival
Pakistani filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat has received another international honour after winning the Best Director award for his latest feature film Lali at the 15th DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF).
The festival announced the award on its official Instagram account on Tuesday. Khoosat also shared the news with his followers through an Instagram story, congratulating the Lali team and thanking the festival organisers for promoting South Asian stories in the United States.
Sarmad Khoosat Receives Another Festival Honour
The latest recognition adds to Khoosat’s growing list of achievements in Pakistani cinema.
The director is widely known for his work in television and film. His television career includes the hugely popular drama Humsafar, which gained audiences in Pakistan and internationally.
He later moved further into feature filmmaking, where several of his projects received recognition at international film festivals.
Zindagi Tamasha Earned International Recognition
Khoosat’s 2019 film Zindagi Tamasha became one of his most internationally recognised projects.
The film won the Kim Ji-seok Award at the Busan International Film Festival and was selected as Pakistan’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 93rd Academy Awards.
It also received the Snow Leopard Award for Best Film at the Asian World Film Festival in 2021.
The movie faced delays in its release in Pakistan amid controversy before eventually becoming available to audiences through YouTube. Its journey attracted considerable attention to Khoosat’s filmmaking approach and the challenges faced by the project.
Kamli Also Won Best Director Award
Khoosat continued his success with his 2022 film Kamli, which earned him the Best Director award at the 22nd Lux Style Awards.
His latest DCSAFF recognition also has a connection to Kamli. The festival previously honoured Khoosat with its Best Director award for the same film three years ago.
Lali Makes International Festival Appearances
Lali has already attracted attention on the international festival circuit.
In February, the film made history as the first fully Pakistani-produced feature to screen at the Berlinale.
The movie has also been selected for screening at the 70th BFI London Film Festival, one of the United Kingdom’s major film events.
The film’s story was co-written by Sarmad Khoosat and Sundus Hashmi. It centres on Zeba, a young woman who becomes known as a “cursed bride” after three of her previous suitors mysteriously die.
Another Milestone for Pakistani Cinema
The Best Director award at DCSAFF adds another international achievement to Lali and its director.
Khoosat’s work across television and cinema has continued to bring Pakistani productions to international audiences, while Lali is now set to reach viewers through additional major film festival screenings.
The latest recognition further highlights the growing presence of Pakistani cinema at international cultural and film events.
