‘Nayab' and ‘Deemak' bag major awards at SCO Film Festival
Deemak and Nayab have won top honors at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Film Festival 2025. The five-day festival in Yangzhou, China, became a landmark moment for Pakistani films.
Deemak, a psychological horror film directed by Rafay Rashdi, took home the Best Editing Award. The film has already made historic business at the box office cementing itself as the most commercially and critically acclaimed horror movie to emerge from Pakistan.
Deemak director Rafay Rashdi took to Instagram to announce the film's prestigious win at the SCO Film Festival. In his post he added, 'Grateful to the @scosectsco_org, the Government of Pakistan, and the Ministry of Information for their support and recognition. Pakistani cinema continues to rise! 🎬✨'
Actor Sonya Hussyn who played the role of 'Hiba' in the film was also in attendance along with Rashdi. After the historic win, she posted a selfie with the award deeming their win 'a proud moment for Pakistan.' And it absolutely is!
Written by Ayesha Muzzafar, starring Sonya Hussyn, Samina Peerzada, and Faysal Quraishi, Deemak is proof that Pakistani cinema can deliver on both entertainment and quality.
Meanwhile, Nayab, directed by Umair Nasir Ali and written by Ali Abbasi Naqvi and Basit Naqvi, captivated audiences at the festival with its heartwarming and inspiring story of a middle-class girl's dreams of succeeding in the competitive, male-dominated world of cricket.
The film stars Yumna Zaidi. Photo: File
Starring Yumna Zaidi and Usama Khan, Nayab won the Special Jury Award and was selected as the winner out of 19 other films.
Director Umair Nasir Ali shared his joy on Instagram, saying, "This is a proud and emotional moment for Pakistani cinema. Thank you to every single person who has been part of Nayab's journey. This belongs to all of you."
He also expressed hope for increased collaboration, adding, "I hope this win and our participation help open more doors for collaboration between filmmakers from Pakistan, China, and other SCO countries, so that our stories continue to travel, connect, and inspire across borders."
Here's to a brighter future for the Pakistani film industry!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Joe Locke and Dylan Mulvaney go public with cozy PDA at Sabrina Carpenter concert
Heartstopper actor Joe Locke and trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney drew attention—and admiration—when they attended Sabrina Carpenter's concert at BST Hyde Park this past Saturday, showcasing a notably affectionate display. Locke, 21, best known for portraying Charlie Spring in the Netflix hit Heartstopper, appeared relaxed in a white T-shirt and jeans, topped with a black sweater and a cheeky 'Straight 4 pay $' cap. Mulvaney, 28, wore a blue floral mini dress, white heels, and matching hair clips. The pair was frequently photographed dancing together, sharing drinks, and chatting closely, marking one of their first major public outings since their relationship 'hard launch' via a couples photo on social media. joe locke, dylan mulvaney, and lily drew singing and dancing along to sabrina carpenter's performance of "juno" at bst hyde park via dylan's insta story — daily joe locke (@dailyjlocke) July 6, 2025 The Instagram post, captioned 'First couples shoot thank you for having us at camp koko,' featured both together, and Locke's reply—'Hard launch'—confirmed their romantic pairing. Fans flooded the comments with enthusiasm: 'Wait… Is this a hard launch?!?' and 'Hot Couple!' offered glimpses into the public excitement. Joe has been openly gay since age twelve and has previously shared his journey in interviews with Teen Vogue. Dylan rose to prominence with her TikTok series documenting her gender transition and authored Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer. Despite public backlash years ago—most notably during the Bud Light boycott—Mulvaney has continued to advocate for LGBTQ representation and inclusivity. The couple's affectionate outing at Sabrina Carpenter's concert has sparked widespread buzz, highlighting their chemistry and mutual support. As both celebrities continue to rise in their respective fields, fans and media will be watching their romance—and public appearances—closely moving forward.
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Ariana Grande to feature on Frankie Grande's 'Hotel Rock Bottom' remix
Pop superstar Ariana Grande will feature on the upcoming remix of brother Frankie Grande's emotional single 'Hotel Rock Bottom', set for release this Friday. The pair announced the news on social media earlier today. Frankie Grande, known for his Broadway roles and digital presence, shared on Instagram and Facebook: 'The Hotel Rock Bottom remix featuring my sister Ariana Grande will be out on Friday on my deluxe [edition]… This song is so personal to me, and having her on it makes it even more meaningful'. The remix appears on the deluxe version of Frankie's debut album Hotel Rock Bottom, originally written to reflect his eight-year sobriety milestone. Frankie told ITV News the album's creation was delayed until he was 'clean and pure,' allowing him to authentically tell his story. With Ariana's haunting vocals added, the remix promises a touching new dimension to the heartfelt song. Ariana Grande—a multi-Grammy-winning artist and movie star—has previously collaborated with Frankie by encouraging him creatively. He credited her for teaching him to 'trust your gut' in album-making . Excitement is already building on social platforms. Pop Crave on X (formerly Twitter) shared: 'Frankie Grande announces remix of 'Hotel Rock Bottom' featuring Ariana Grande. Out Friday.' Meanwhile, PopBase echoed: 'Ariana Grande to be featured on a remix of her brother Frankie Grande's 'Hotel Rock Bottom.' Out this Friday.' The remix will debut this Friday alongside the deluxe album release, offering fans a powerful fusion of sibling collaboration and emotional storytelling. With Ariana on board, 'Hotel Rock Bottom' is poised to reach new emotional and commercial heights.
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Former NFL star Tim Tebow and wife Demi-Leigh welcome their first child
Tim Tebow and his wife Demi-Leigh welcomed their first child together, a daughter, on July 6, 2025. The couple shared the joyous news with their followers in an Instagram post the following day. Both Tim, 37, and Demi-Leigh, 29, expressed their overwhelming gratitude for the arrival of their little girl and the support they received during the birth. "We couldn't be more grateful for the blessing and gift of this new little life," the couple wrote in their heartfelt post. They also extended their thanks to the medical team who assisted with the delivery, emphasizing their appreciation for the doctor, nurses, and hospital staff. The Tebows also thanked their friend, Hannah Janoe, for capturing their precious first moments with their daughter on camera. The couple, who announced they were expecting a baby girl in March, revealed that they will soon share their daughter's name with the public. In an emotional caption, Demi-Leigh shared the personal and heartfelt meaning behind the names. "Daphne is a name that's been close to my heart since I was a little girl," she wrote. The name was inspired by her late great aunt, who became a grandmother figure in her life. Demi-Leigh described her aunt as a strong, loving, and gracious woman with a deep connection to faith. She fondly remembered her aunt's love of shortbread and her angelic voice, explaining that her aunt's legacy made her want to name her future daughter after her. The second name, Reign, has a similarly significant origin. Demi-Leigh shared that it was inspired by a little girl they have loved deeply for years, whose story has shaped their hearts. The name serves as a reminder that when adopted into God's family, one becomes a child of the King—meant to live with purpose, love, and identity. The couple's excitement was evident in their earlier announcement, where they celebrated the news with a creative gender reveal video. In the video, Tim and Demi-Leigh painted a canvas together, revealing their baby's gender by uncovering a canvas filled with pink paint. They captioned the post, "Baby Tebow is a…GIRL!" and shared how excited they were to meet their daughter. Tim and Demi-Leigh, who married in January 2020, had previously spoken about their joy of becoming parents. "We are just so excited and so over the moon," Demi-Leigh said. The couple's bond, which began in 2018, has grown stronger over the years, and they are now ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives as parents.
