Alizeh Imtiaz
Alizeh Imtiaz (born 10 November 1986, in Karachi, Pakistan) is the first Pakistani to have successfully had her debut short film 'Shades of Black' screened at the London Filmmakers Convention 2007. Her short film also won the award for Best Film at the London Filmmakers Convention which screened 80 films from all around the world. Her short film will once again be screened at the London Portobello Film Festival in August 2008. She is one of the youngest directors in Pakistan, and one of the very few to have gained international acclaim.
She has completed her BA in English and Film and TV Studies from Brunel University, London, and is also currently serving as a trustee on the board of DSRA Schools for the underprivileged.
Her short film was an experimental piece which focused on the journey of a prisoner released from Karachi Central Jail. Her style is very dependent on detail to music and photography. Her début short film 'Shades of Black' gained much attention after Alizeh appeared on one of Pakistan's most famous comedy talk show called 'Azfar Mani show'. The short film was produced by Media Tech Films Pvt Ltd, for AAG TV Channel.
Her previous experience in direction include a high-profile celebrity based TV show called 'FLASH' for HUM TV channel in Pakistan which she directed before returning to complete her degree. Before her venture into direction, Alizeh Imtiaz had also been active in several theatre productions in Karachi - from acting to direction. Alizeh has attended several workshops to aid her acting talent, from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London. In addition, Alizeh has been trained in acting by Rahat Kazmi, a famous Pakistani actor, director, teacher and theatric.
In 2010 Pakistan was deeply affected by the flooding on the Indus River, Alizeh along with a team of people travelled across the Province of Sindh and rehabilitated flood affectees suffering from the devastation. CNN International broadcast and shared Alizeh's photographs of her trips, and in 2011 one of her photographs was the top five in photojournalism iReport on the CNN website.