Pakistan is an ancient civilization, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said, but not a backward one. “We have always nurtured the spirit of knowledge, broad-mindedness, and liberalism. Creative talents build strong bridges between different civilizations and nations.”
Pakistan Embassy Hosts EuroAsia Shorts 2026 Film Festival
By Elaine Pasquini
Washington, DC: The Pakistani Embassy presented the EuroAsia Shorts 2026 Film Festival at its embassy on June 10, 2026, in collaboration with Alliance Française.
Representatives from the US Department of State, the diplomatic community and civil society enjoyed the films, along with the traditional Pakistani hospitality. Alliance Française Deputy and Academic Director Amina Madjlissi thanked the ambassador and his embassy staff for hosting the important event.
The evening began with a rendering of the national anthems of Pakistan, the United States, and France, after which guests viewed the screening of Pakistani and French short films.
Participating in this short film festival for the first time, Pakistan highlighted national resolve, resilience and social strength through its films which were produced with the support of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Pakistan Television Corporation.
The two Pakistani short films were Azam e Kuhaan (A Woman of Courage) and Resilience of Faith. Both highlighted empowerment, cultural heritage and the enduring strength of communities, offering the audience a unique glimpse into Pakistan’s rich culture and storytelling traditions.
The two French films screened were Entendue, which explores the toll of social conventions, and Le Skate Moderne which presents a different take on skateboarding culture.
The 20th annual EuroAsia Shorts 2026 Film Festival features more than 30 international short films exploring the theme “Past/Present/Future.” Hosted across embassies and cultural centers throughout Washington, DC, the festival had, over the past two decades, synthesized diverse voices from Europe and Asia through screenings, panel discussions and cultural receptions. It helped reaffirm the role of cinema as a powerful medium for connection and understanding.
“Pakistan’s hosting of this event is a clear expression of our commitment to cultural dialogue and creative collaboration,” Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, told guests gathered in the embassy’s elegant reception salon. “Pakistan’s creative potential is rooted in a civilization that dates back thousands of years. From Mehrgarh to the Soan Valley, our civilization has remained a shining symbol of knowledge, art and creativity.”
The ambassador went on to note that “the stories being presented today are not merely fiction but true and inspiring accounts from real life,” through which we seek to “reshape stereotypical perceptions about Pakistan with stories of real people, real struggles, and real achievements. These films demonstrate that Pakistan believes in taking practical steps to protect the rights of minority communities, diversity and social inclusion.”
Pakistan is an ancient civilization, he said, but not a backward one. “We have always nurtured the spirit of knowledge, broad-mindedness and liberalism. Creative talents build strong bridges between different civilizations and nations.”
“Pakistan will continue to be an active participant in this global cultural journey in the future,” Ambassador Sheikh concluded. “Let us all come together and celebrate creativity, starting here and now.”
(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)
