Pakistani Short Film Director Syed Asad Raza Abidi Marks 14 International Awards and 22 Global Selections

Syed Asad Raza Abidi Shot His Debut Thriller in 34 Hours: The Festivals Haven't Stopped Calling Since.

The crew's journey:

It was still dark when the crew arrived at Sunhera Beach. They had police on the route : a necessary precaution for the early-morning coastal drive on the outskirts of Karachi : but somewhere along the way, the bikes disappeared into the darkness. The crew kept moving. They had no alternative. The entire 23-minute film they were making had to be shot in 34 hours, and those hours were already ticking.

The tide dilemma:

What Syed Asad Raza Abidi didn't know yet, standing on that dark beach with his student crew, was that the water wouldn't cooperate. He had researched the location obsessively : multiple visits, conversations with local fishermen, careful study of the tidal patterns. The water was supposed to reach the boats by 7 AM. By 9:30, the boats were still on dry sand.

Director's quote on preparation:

"We were all worried. But I had done my preparation. I knew the location. So when the situation changed, we could adapt instead of collapse."

The success of Janjaal:

The water eventually came. They shot the scene. The film : Janjaal (Tussle), a psychological thriller starring veteran Pakistani actor Shamoon Abbasi : went on to win 14 international awards and 22 official festival selections across nine countries. Its most recent recognition: Best Short Film at the Toronto Fantasy/Sci-Fi Film Festival 2026.

Academic origins:

Abidi was in his sixth semester at Indus University Karachi's Film and TV program when he developed Janjaal. The premise was simple on paper : a detective investigating a mystery : but his ambition for the execution was significantly larger than what a student production budget could support.

Director's quote on limits:

"My vision was way bigger than what we could afford. But that's the job. You work within the limits you have and you make the most precise version of the film you can."

The production crew:

The screenplay was written by Ameer Hamza, with co-writing from Basil Hussain Zaidi. Producer Faizan Ahmed managed the production, and cinematographer Ghayas Uddin Siddiqui gave the film its visual texture. Every member of the core crew was a student.

Casting Shamoon Abbasi:

Getting Shamoon Abbasi : a well-known face in Pakistani cinema and television : was a matter of an existing connection and a script that spoke for itself. Abidi had connected with Abbasi years earlier through his work in AI-generated content. He sent his work, Abbasi responded positively. When Abidi approached him for Janjaal, the screenplay was ready.

Director's quote on casting:

"He read it and said yes. He's a straightforward person. He responds to the work."

The intensity of post-production:

On set, Abidi describes the challenge not as crisis but as precision : every minute counted, every location change required careful logistics. Moving the entire cast and crew between locations with limited time was something that demanded absolute focus. But it was in post-production where he says the real weight settled in.

Director's quote on the edit:

"The post-production was the most tiring part. We had a deadline from our university because the cinema screens were already booked for the screening. I was editing knowing there was a fixed date : not just to finish, but to finish well."

Screenings and global travels:

The film screened theatrically at Arena Cinemas, Karachi, in January 2025. And then it began its festival journey : a journey that has since taken it to Kosovo, Scotland, India, Iran, Spain, the United States, Canada, and Turkey.

The birth of Cinegma Films:

In January 2024, Abidi founded Cinegma Films, an independent production company. The name is a deliberate fusion of 'cinema' and 'enigma' : the two words that best describe his filmmaking instinct.

Director's quote on storytelling:

"Since I was young, my films and videos have always been enigmatic. Layered. That's just how I see stories."

Current and future projects:
Currently in production under the Cinegma banner is Zawaal : a dark psychological thriller set in Karachi : and A Soldier Beside Me, a short film about two soldiers questioning their fate. Abidi also serves as Film Director and Editor at Burrak Organization's Silverlight Studios, where he leads production of narrative Islamic content.

"There are very talented filmmakers here making stunning work. And then they disappear. Not because they give up. Because there's nothing to hold them : no indie ecosystem, no support, no audience that's been trained to receive this kind of cinema."

A roadmap for change:

His prescription is specific: more city-level film festivals, smaller and more accessible cinema spaces, and a generation of student and indie filmmakers who commit to releasing work consistently so that audiences can gradually develop the language to watch it.

Director's quote on collective action:

"We need a new wave of Pakistani cinema. And we have to work together to build it. No one is going to do it for us."

Final thoughts:

At 24, Asad has already done more than most filmmakers twice his age. What he's building next may be the more interesting story.

Contact information:
Janjaal is available for screening. Contact: asadsyed711@gmail.com

Rehan Memorial Society, HOUSE NO.B-376/4, BLOCK-10, GULSHAN-E-IQBAL, Karachi
Ground Floor

CINEGMA FILMS LLC is a premier production house specializing in cinematic storytelling, high-end filmmaking, and animation. Founded by award-winning filmmaker Syed Asad Raza Abidi, the studio blends technical precision with artistic vision to produce impactful narratives, motion graphics, and professional sound design. From acclaimed short films like Janjaal to comprehensive brand campaigns, CINEGMA FILMS is dedicated to capturing the "Portrait of Life" through high-fidelity visual arts.

This release was published on openPR.