Saim Sadiq
Directing
Biography
Saim Sadiq is a Pakistani filmmaker. He currently finishing his MFA at Columbia University, School of Arts. With a background in anthropology, Saim's earlier documentary work was showcased by various national networks on television, went viral on social media in Pakistan, and was featured by BBC's Free Speech Stories. His first short film Pasban ('17) screened at numerous festivals around the globe. His latest short Nice Talking to You ('18) was awarded Vimeo's Best Director along with five other awards at the 2018 Columbia University thesis film showcase. He is the recipient of the Kodak Student Scholarship Gold Award 2018, selected as the top winner from students across the world. He is currently in development of his first feature, Gulaab, which was accepted at the Open Doors Hub at the Locarno Film Festival 2018.
Known For
As a patriarchal family yearns for the birth of a son to continue their family line, their youngest son secretly joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for its transgender starlet.
Joyland
Bound by love and haunted by fate, Zeba and Sajawal spiral through feelings of desire, superstition and fear in Lali, a darkly comic tale where the living share a restless world with the ghosts.
Lali
A young married woman, who lives with her blind sister-in-law, has been waiting eight years for her husband to return home. One day she is about to drown in the nearby pond when a mysterious wanderer named Amaltas rescues her, unexpectedly changing her life and putting her in a dilemma between her husband and her savior. Will she be able to restrain the force of desire or will she give in to temptation?
Kamli
Naive Shani helps his transgender friend and crush audition for the lead in an erotic dance show.
Darling
A young father, takes a late night journey through the streets of New York City with his daughter to flee the toxic environment she lives in. Afraid to make a meaningful connection, he is faced with the ultimate decision of keeping her or not.
Shelter
Mikael has been sending letters to Zoya. Zoya has been sending him books. Today is the first time they meet.
The Letters of Mikael Muhammad
At fifteen, Milagros' world still revolves around her mother's affection. This summer an unexpected encounter with death will make her question their relationship, her privilege and her own existence.
Between You and Milagros
Two strangers – both hearing persons – form an instant connection at an American Sign Language event, talking exclusively in ASL. They spend the night together, strolling through NYC, enjoying a newfound attraction without a spoken word uttered between them.
Nice Talking to You
In a world on fire, a seven-month-old pregnant nurse deals with growing anxiety while gradually finding herself attracted to a member of the Pentecostal church and her community.
August Sky
A short film by Saim Sadiq featuring Swati LaPerre as Aan.
Blackbird
In Lahore, 26-year-old Fatin and her mother Yasmeen prepare for a neighborhood wedding when Yasmeen’s 70-year-old brother-in-law, Shabeer, unexpectedly arrives for the wedding and medical tests. Fatin, uncomfortable due to past abuse, faces pressure to care for him, including driving him to his appointments, forcing her to confront unresolved trauma while balancing family obligations.
Permanent Guest
Zoya is a young Pakistani cricket player and the lucky recipient of a life-changing scholarship. The only thing standing in her way? Finding someone to take her place as her ailing grandmother’s current caretaker.
The Caretaker
Pakhi, a conservative Paksitani woman, discovers her husband's secret and follows him every night to a gay bar. A Columbia University Short Film.
Nowhere
In 2012, Joseph Colony - a Christian settlement in the heart of Lahore - was burnt to the ground by a mob of religious fundamentalists on the basis of blasphemy charges. In 2014, two students ventured back in to find out if there is any space left for religious minorities in their motherland, Pakistan.