Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)
SOC Films unveils the final line-up of artists selected for its fall residency cycle of the International Neela Asmaan artist residency program. This unique initiative, founded by Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, provides emerging and established artists from Pakistan and around the world with an immersive and inspiring environment in the picturesque Shigar Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Following a rigorous selection process, SOC Films is proud to present two talented individuals who have been chosen to undertake a transformative journey of exploration as part of the Neela Asmaan residency program, running from 29th October to 12th November 2023.
- Hamza Baig:
Hamza Baig is a Pakistan-based filmmaker, artist, and lecturer. His projects have been awarded and screened at various national and international festivals. Notably, he was chosen as one of the six mentees for the Forecast 7 mentorship program in Germany, during which he developed the pilot episode for his web series, The Marblous Four, which premiered at the Forecast Festival in Berlin in March 2023. During his stay at the Neela Asmaan residency, Hamza will be working on the ongoing development of this web series.
- Haseeb Sultan:
Haseeb Sultan is a poet and essayist whose work has been featured in various publications such as GQ, Buzzfeed, The Aleph Review, and DAWN, among others. His passion lies in mentoring young writers. He conducts workshops on poetry and how the internet can be utilised effectively to improve writing skills, drawing from his personal experience as a writer with a strong online presence. Throughout his time at the Neela Asmaan residency, Haseeb will be working on the development and finalization of a chapbook for his poetry.
Chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants, these two individuals bring diverse artistic expertise, encompassing filmmaking, scriptwriting, and poetry.
The Neela Asmaan residency program is designed to nurture creativity and provide artists with mentorship, a studio space, and a supportive environment to explore their artistic visions. After the residency, each artist will have the opportunity to connect with established mentors, receive feedback, and hone their skills.
For more information about the Neela Asmaan program and SOC Films, please visit www.socfilms.com
