PESHAWAR: The two-day YouthLenz Film Festival 2026 concluded at Nishtar Hall, bringing together a dynamic gathering of emerging visual storytellers, cultural enthusiasts and community leaders.
The event served as a major showcase for the creative potential of young filmmakers across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with a special emphasis on amplifying voices from the merged districts.
Jointly organised by Colours Production with support from the Directorate of Youth Affairs, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the festival screened a total of 30 short films, documentaries, music videos and innovative AI-generated productions.
The entries explored a wide array of pressing themes, ranging from climate action and environmental conservation to social equity and regional cultural heritage.
The official jury comprised distinguished arts professionals including senior actor-director Arshad Hussain, celebrated theatre artist Khalid Khattak and acclaimed documentary filmmaker and activist Wagma Feroz. The panel rigorously evaluated the submissions based on narrative depth, technical originality and thematic relevance.
Reflecting on the overarching impact of the event, Wagma Feroz highlighted the power of youth-driven cinema: “If you don’t tell your story, someone else will tell it for you. Media and film are essential tools for preserving culture and empowering communities to share authentic lived experiences after decades of conflict and severe resource constraints.”
In the competitive category, Basit Alvi from D.I. Khan bagged the first prize for his compelling short film Filhaal (live in the moment). Shahzaib, representing Mohmand district, secured the second position with his environmental project Save Water, Save Life, while Mohammad Shoaib from Kohat took third place for Khamoshi, a poignant narrative advocating for girls’ education. Each of the top three winners was awarded cash prize alongside commendation certificates.
The platform earned wide praise from participants from remote regions. Highlighting the opportunity provided by the initiative, Aishama Khan Shinwari, a young participant from Khyber district, remarked: “Attending YouthLenz gave us a real voice to showcase our local stories on a bigger stage, proving that our experiences matter and deserve recognition.”
Addressing the closing ceremony, chief guest Atifa Yousafzai, additional director (operations) at the Directorate of Youth Affairs, conferred prizes and participation certificates upon the young filmmakers. The department representatives reiterated their sustained commitment to establishing permanent creative platforms, nurturing regional talent and expanding the province’s broader cultural economy.
The celebratory evening drew to a close with a lively cultural showcase featuring traditional and contemporary Pashto musical performances by renowned singers Ghayour Wazir and Jiya Khan, which captivated the audience and brought the two-day gathering to an inspiring end.
Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026
