Latest news with #SharmeenObaidChinoy
Arab News
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy launches film project to spotlight Pakistan's unsung changemakers
ISLAMABAD: Two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on Wednesday launched a new initiative through her production house, SOC Films, to highlight the work done by grassroots projects and nonprofit organizations in Pakistan through storytelling. The campaign, titled Frame It Forward, will select one organization to receive a professionally produced short film at no cost. The initiative aims to raise the visibility of local efforts across a wide range of issues, from education and gender equality to wildlife conservation, refugee assistance and community health. 'Too often, vital work being done in the heart of our communities goes unseen simply because it isn't being told,' Obaid-Chinoy, the founder and CEO of SOC Films, said in a statement. 'Frame It Forward is our commitment to community – using the power of film to help elevate voices that deserve to be heard.' The short film will be publicly released on August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day, and will be developed in close collaboration with the selected initiative. The deadline for applications is July 25. Nonprofits and grassroots groups across Pakistan are encouraged to apply through an open call. SOC Films said the campaign was rooted in the belief that storytelling is a powerful tool for driving social change, fostering empathy and encouraging civic engagement. 'This storytelling campaign is dedicated to highlighting the impactful, yet often overlooked, work done by grassroots projects and nonprofit organizations in Pakistan,' the statement said. Internationally, storytelling has emerged as a key tool for nonprofit visibility, especially in the Global South where many groups struggle to reach wider audiences or fund communications efforts. Obaid-Chinoy's films, which have tackled subjects such as acid violence and honor killings, have earned her critical acclaim and global awards. Her team has previously produced free documentaries for organizations including ChildLife Foundation, Indus Hospital and the Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP).
Geek Tyrant
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Rey's Return to STAR WARS Reportedly Paused as Lucasfilm Prioritizes Other Projects — GeekTyrant
The Rey-centric Star Wars movie may be hitting pause… again. According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, the long-gestating New Jedi Order film, which would see Daisy Ridley reprise her role as Rey under the direction of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, is reportedly back on hold. Richtman says, 'The Rey movie is on hold once again, as both the Shawn Levy and James Mangold Star Wars films are moving forward first. The project is not canceled — just temporarily on hold.' This shift isn't entirely unexpected. After Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight exited the project, a new writer was never publicly confirmed. Despite that uncertainty, Lucasfilm still appeared to view the film as a priority… until now. The status of Rey's next chapter has been murky for a while. One moment it's full speed ahead, the next it's reworking behind the scenes. But don't count Rey out just yet. In fact, a previously report suggests she still plays a major role in Lucasfilm's long-term plans. 'Rey, the scavenger-turned-Jedi played by Daisy Ridley in the last three episode movies, is key to the franchise's next turn. That potentially puts Kinberg's trilogy story development, as early in its conceptual stages as it may be, on a collision course with the Rey standalone movie that is actively in the works with director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.' The report went even further, noting that Ridley's Rey is more than just another character. According to one unnamed source: 'She is the most valuable cinematic asset, in some ways maybe the only one, Star Wars has right now.' That might explain why writer-producer Simon Kinberg ( X-Men: Dark Phoenix ) is reportedly developing a new trilogy that could feature Rey in some capacity, though how it connects to New Jedi Order is still unclear. As for Ridley herself, she spoke about her return last year in an interview with Premiere magazine: "They simply asked if I wanted to do it, based on an idea, without the script being written yet. But if I hadn't been convinced by the concept, the movie wouldn't have been made. I took a day to think about it and I told myself that I had had great times making those films. 'This new adventure seemed fun to me, so why say no? My thoughts on the subject are quite simple: if I didn't think the story was worth telling, I wouldn't have come back." The project was said to be set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker , with Rey building a new Jedi Order from scratch. Whether that vision still stands or gets absorbed into another project remains to be seen. For now, the wait for Rey's return continues… again.
Express Tribune
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Chinoy clinches Emmy nod for 'DVF: Woman In Charge'
In an Instagram post shared on Thursday, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy announced that her documentary Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge has secured an Emmy nomination. Posting the list of films vying for the Outstanding Business and Economic Documentary category, Chinoy wrote, "Thrilled to share that our film DVF: Woman in Charge has been nominated for an Emmy!" She added, "This was truly a labour of love - every single person involved, from the crew to our incredible executive team, poured their heart into telling the story of a woman who has always led with strength, vision, and purpose. Grateful beyond words to be heading to the Emmys with this phenomenal team!" The film follows the life of Belgian fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, best known for her wrap dress, and how she climbed up the ladder of entrepreneurship in a male-dominated sphere. Last year, the documentary opened the Tribeca Festival in New York City. In a press release issued by SOC Films, Chinoy delved into how she explored the life of the fashion designer in the film. "DVF: Woman in Charge has been a nearly three-year journey," she said. "In telling Diane's story, we are celebrating the life of an icon who's always danced to her own tune." Shedding light on how the documentary unfolds, Chinoy gave a brief overview of the designer's career, along with the hurdles she faced. "She started her business in an era when women had to rely on men to vouch for them financially - to cosign for credit cards. She has fallen down and picked herself up countless times." The Pakistani filmmaker has herself been an example of empowerment for women, having seven Emmys under her belt - among other accolades - and possibly another one on the way. Her documentary is nominated alongside Netflix films Bitconned and Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy among other nods. Netflix has been going in strong with its Emmy campaigns. As per Variety, the streamer is submitting three candidates from seven-season anthology series Black Mirror for the lead acting honours: Paul Giamatti for the episode Eulogy, and co-stars Chris O'Dowd and Rashida Jones for Common People. Other cast members, such as Issa Rae, Emma Corrin, and Peter Capaldi, will have the limelight to themselves in the supporting actor and actress categories. Aside from Black Mirror, Netflix is also chasing gold with the British mystery thriller Adolescence and the biographical crime drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story in the limited series category.
