Modoxy Media’s Mohammed Ali Naqvi launches ‘The Pakistan Crescent Collective’ At Cannes 2024

Modoxy Media announces The Pakistan Crescent Collective’s debut at the Cannes Film Festival from May 14th to 20th, 2024.

The Pakistan Crescent Collective represents Pakistan’s official presence at the Cannes Film Festival, marking the first time the country has had a central hub. Its mission is to discover and nurture the next generation of talent, preserve film, and promote Pakistani and diaspora films globally, thereby advancing Pakistan’s visual culture.

In recent years, Pakistan has made a significant impact at Cannes, starting with the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize winner ‘Joyland’ (2022), followed by last year’s ‘In Flames’ in the Director’s Fortnight section. Both films were Pakistan’s official submissions to the Academy Awards.

The Pakistan Crescent Collective aims to build on this momentum by launching a robust and comprehensive program for the 77th Cannes Film Festival which includes a filmmaker panel discussion and event following the marche preview screening for the highly anticipated ‘The Glassworker’.

‘The Glassworker’ is a landmark for Pakistani cinema as the country’s first 2D hand-painted traditional film. Inspired by the iconic Japanese animation house, Studio Ghibli, director Usman Riaz describes ‘The Glassworker’ as a love letter to Japanese animation.

Riaz, who founded Karachi-based Mano Studios, visited Studio Ghibli in 2015, which inspired him to start his own studio. The significance of this event is highlighted by Studio Ghibli receiving the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, and ‘The Glassworker’ being selected for its world premiere at the renowned Annecy International Film Festival next month.

In addition, the Pakistan Crescent Collective is co-hosting the inauguration and reception for the world’s first South Asian Film Market, launched by the Oscar-qualifying Tasveer Film Festival. As part of the launch, Tasveer and the Pakistan Crescent Collective will co-host an exclusive speed networking event on the American Pavilion Terrace.

Selected filmmaking teams will meet with established film financiers and funders to pitch their next project during a rapid round of networking, followed by a cocktail sundowner reception for all participants. This event is part of American Pavilion’s Global Lens Day.

Mohammed Ali Naqvi, founder of Modoxy Media, emphasized the significance of Pakistan Crescent Collective, states, “As one of the only countries without a central hub at Cannes, it’s imperative to launch initiatives like The Crescent Collective. We are dedicated to championing Pakistani cinema and talent, both at home and abroad. It’s time to celebrate our own.”

In recent years, Pakistani cinema and TV have seen a celebrated rise, marked by groundbreaking achievements. “The Legend of Maula Jatt” became the highest-grossing Pakistani film ever, shattering records domestically and globally.

Hollywood has also seen increased Pakistani representation, with Mohammed Ali Naqvi co-executive producing two seasons of the Netflix top ten hit “Turning Point: The Bomb & The Cold War” and directing “The Accused: Damned or Devoted?”— the first Pakistani film nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking. “Ms. Marvel,” the first Muslim-American superhero series, also showcased Pakistani-American talent. Additionally, Iram Parveen Bilal’s “Wakhiri” and Fawzia Mirza’s “Queen of My Dreams” have made waves with their recent theatrical releases.