The second Filmmaking for Social Change Workshop, lead by Patrick Hazard of LIDF and supported by the BHC in Pakistan kicked off today with 30 new recruits from Karachi and Lahore, excited and full of ideas.

Induction day for the workshop participants

The students spent two induction days at a beautiful farm on the outskirts of Karachi, getting to know each other, discussing ideas and of course relaxing before the hard work begins.

After this intense week-long workshop, covering the history and theory of documentary film as well technical and aesthetic considerations, the students have a month to shoot 10 documentary films in groups of 3. We will return in March for editing and post production. The films will be shown at LIDF 2010 at the British Museum as part of our Pakistan focus day and 5 lucky students will have the chance to travel to London to present and discuss their films.

Watch this space for more news and blogs as the workshop progresses.

LIDF Director Patrick Hazard is currently in Pakistan working with film students who are making documentaries about their own country as part of our new initiative Pakistani Filmmakers for Social Change. He records the experience here in the second part of his diary.

Read the rest of this entry »

There was an earthquake here today. The epicentre was just off the coast, under the Arabian Sea. Apparently, there was panic in certain parts of the city.

‘Here’, is Karachi, Pakistan. Peter Fraser and myself have returned to conclude Stage 1 of a documentary film project begun last year with the support of the British High Commission, Pakistan.

Read the rest of this entry »