Atiqa Odho Shahzad Nawaz Red Sea Film Festival appearance marked a major highlight for Pakistan at RSIFF 2025 as the two renowned creatives led an engaging cultural dialogue in Jeddah on December 9. Their panel emphasized Pakistan’s growing influence in global storytelling, cultural diplomacy and international media partnerships.
Moderated by Saudi-born Pakistani presenter Omair Shaikh, the session brought together leading voices shaping Pakistan’s creative identity. Atiqa Odho — celebrated actor, producer and advocate for women’s empowerment — shared insights from her decades-long career. Shahzad Nawaz — filmmaker, cultural strategist and the creative director behind Pakistan’s branding at RSIFF ’25 — spoke about the nation’s expanding cultural footprint and rising demand for original South Asian content.
The panel also featured Noshien Ahmed Waseem, Pakistan’s cultural representative at the festival, who highlighted the importance of global collaborations. Speakers noted that platforms like Netflix, Amazon and HBO Max commissioning Pakistani content signal a transformative shift in the country’s media landscape.
The fifth edition of the Red Sea Film Festival continues until December 13, offering a global stage for cinema from Asia, Africa and the Middle East.