Karachi, 4 October, 2026 (Kamran Raja): The seventh edition of the Gandhara Independent Film Festival (GIFF) is showcasing independent cinema from Pakistan and around the world in a hybrid format, with screenings at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) and an online programme. Founded by Cirque Films in 2020, the festival is being held from October 2 to 4 at NAPA’s Hindu Gymkhana, featuring 88 selected films from 35 countries. The programme includes 28 films being screened physically and 60 additional productions available online through a streaming platform. The participating countries include Pakistan, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. The physical programme features nine Pakistani short films and 19 international shorts, while the online selection includes seven feature films, 25 international shorts and 28 Pakistani shorts. Festival Producer Beenish Umer said the hybrid format was adopted partly because of limited venues and resources for independent cinema in Pakistan, adding that the festival would ideally run a longer physical programme. Since its launch, GIFF has showcased more than 700 independent films through online, physical and hybrid editions. Organisers said around 500 submissions were received from filmmakers across Pakistan for this year’s festival. Actor Ayesha Toor, who attended the opening day, welcomed the event as an important platform for Pakistani and international independent cinema and expressed hope that GIFF would contribute to positive cultural change in Karachi and across Pakistan. Most Pakistani films in the programme are in Urdu with English subtitles, while the international selection features films in 32 foreign languages, giving audiences an opportunity to experience diverse filmmaking traditions and independent productions from around the world.