Pakistani filmmaker Iram Parveen Bilal has won the Best Director Feature Film Award for her movie Wakhri at the fifth Yellowstone International Film Festival (YIFF) in New Delhi, India.
YIFF is a global event that celebrates diverse storytelling, with special categories for films on women empowerment, environmental issues, and student projects.
Expressing her gratitude on Instagram, Bilal said, “Thank you for the honor, [YIFF] jury and organizers. Wakhri shines brightest with its audiences. Deep gratitude to my entire team, cast, and crew alike, for enhancing my vision every step of the way.”
Wakhri premiered at the Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2023 and released in Pakistan on January 5, 2024.
Inspired by the life of murdered Pakistani social media star Qandeel Baloch, the film tells the story of Noor, a widowed schoolteacher who becomes a viral social media sensation. It explores the challenges and opportunities she faces in her journey.
Bilal co-wrote the film with Mehrub Moiz Awan. It was produced by Abid Aziz Merchant, Apoorva Bakshi, and Bilal’s Parveen Shah Productions.
