In a proud moment for Pakistani cinema and independent filmmaking, the gripping short film Screen Locked has clinched the Award of Merit in the Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising category at the Best Shorts Competition 2026, a leading international platform based in La Jolla, California.

Written, directed, and co-produced by acclaimed filmmaker Khalid Hasan Khan alongside veteran actor-producer Alyy Khan, the 30-minute psychological techno-thriller stars Alyy Khan in a powerful performance as a psychiatrist grappling with the deep psychological fallout of extreme screen addiction. Atabik Mohsin delivers a striking supporting role, highlighting the emotional chasm created by constant digital immersion versus genuine human bonds.

The film delivers a sharp, introspective commentary on the escalating mental health challenges tied to excessive screen time in our hyper-digital era. Through its tense narrative and minimalist style, Screen Locked urges viewers to step away from devices and reclaim authentic connections — a message that resonates strongly today.

Launched in 2011, the Best Shorts Competition is a globally respected merit-based awards program honoring excellence in short films, documentaries, animation, and new media. It has launched careers that later earned Oscars, Emmys, and Telly Awards, making it a trusted launchpad for top-tier short-form talent worldwide.

This win marks a major international feather in the cap for Screen Locked, spotlighting its artistic merit and urgent social relevance amid growing concerns over digital dependency.

About the Film Screen Locked stands out as a bold, thought-provoking entry in indie cinema, directly tackling one of the biggest societal issues of the 21st century. Its recognition at Best Shorts Competition solidifies its place in the worldwide dialogue on digital well-being, mental health, and human relationships.

About the Filmmaker Khalid Hasan Khan is a New York Film Academy (Los Angeles) graduate specializing in socially charged narratives spanning psycho-thrillers to documentaries. By late 2025, he had already secured 27 international awards for his emotionally resonant and innovative work. His films have screened at over 100 festivals across nearly 20 countries, including Australia, Brazil, France, India, South Korea, the UK, and the US, cementing his strong footprint on the global indie circuit.

Screen Locked continues its festival journey and is generating buzz for its timely theme and stellar performances, especially from Alyy Khan, known for his impactful roles across Pakistani and international screens.

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The film with the tagline “War Amplified, Hunger Intensified” stars veteran theatre artist, Wali Shaikh, as a lone man trapped in a city where the electric grid has been hacked and cable television has gone silent amid a regional conflict. With only a shortwave radio left for connection to the outside world, he begins scanning stations across borders and frequencies.

At first bored, he gradually turns into an ironic commentator on the dramatic announcements of radio hosts, war bulletins, economic speculation, propaganda, and market profiteering. As the voices on air grow increasingly sensational, the man finds himself strangely entertained by the unfolding chaos. Slowly, he begins to mirror the tone and rhythm of the broadcasters, almost becoming a human radio himself.

But the illusion of distant war collapses, when he realizes that the real consequences, the newborn twins of war: famine and disease, are not far from his own doorstep.

Through minimal setting and sharp dialogue, Fury on the Shortwave examines the transformation of an ordinary listener into a passive consumer of conflict, questioning how media can normalize violence and economic opportunism during wartime.

The film is an original screenplay by Khalid Hasan Khan, whose cinematic work often blends political satire with minimalist storytelling. 

About Khalid Hasan Khan

Khalid Hasan Khan is an independent award-winning filmmaker, a Hollywood graduate, known for socially conscious short films and experimental narratives, exploring how media, technology, and power shape human perception in times of crisis. He has won over 26 international awards with over 100 screenings in the international film circuits.

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Karachi: A short film highlighting the growing issue of screen addiction was screened at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Karachi. The film, titled Screen Locked, was written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Khalid Hasan Khan and stars renowned actor Alyy Khan alongside Atabik Mohsin.

The screening was part of a unique sensitization initiative aimed at senior civil officers. Following the focus group screening, an interactive question-and-answer session was held, and participating officers filled out feedback proformas at the conclusion of the event.

During the visit, Alyy Khan planted an Amaltas tree under the initiative of DG NIPA Karachi, Dr. Syed Saif Ur Rehman, as part of the campaign “Plant a Tree Taller Than Your Height.” Alyy Khan also purchased a book from the NIPA Karachi Book Shop, supporting institutional learning initiatives.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Syed Saif Ur Rehman, Director Deneral, NIPA stated that this unprecedented initiative of screening a thought-provoking film was designed “to sensitize senior civil officers to combat digital narcissism and screen dependency”.

Director Khalid Hasan Khan expressed his gratitude to the NIPA Karachi management for launching this “anti–Screen Locked” initiative, calling it a powerful example of thought leadership and institutional responsibility.

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The event featured the films Transparent Lands from Russia, presented by Executive Producer Maksim Dobromyslov; Axis of Life from Bulgaria, presented by Director Atanas Yordanov; and the Turkish–German–Bulgarian co-production Those Who Whistle After Dark, presented by Director Pınar Yorgancıoğlu.

During the Press Conference Director Atanas Yordanov shared insights into the artistic journey and philosophical foundation behind Axis of Life. He expressed admiration for India, stating that the country’s deep-rooted traditions of spirituality and philosophy were significant inspirations for the film. He also noted that the film’s themes have resonated strongly with younger audiences. Reflecting on Artificial Intelligence, Atanas remarked that while AI may advance rapidly, it can never replicate genuine human emotions or creative depth.

Aspirations Amid Abandonment

Executive Producer Maksim Dobromyslov addressed themes of aspiration and migration explored in Transparent Lands, highlighting people’s shift from smaller towns to major metropolitan cities in search of opportunities. He also drew parallels between India and Russia and underscored Russia’s growing prominence in global cinema, urging audiences worldwide to engage more deeply with contemporary Russian filmmaking.

Yorgancıoğlu on Debut and Global Cinema

Director Pınar Yorgancıoğlu described Those Who Whistle After Dark, her debut feature, as a remarkable product of international collaboration. The film follows a grieving museum manager whose life unravels into an existential crisis after a supernatural encounter. As he searches for meaning, his wife and daughter grapple with their own hidden struggles, and the family is soon confronted by the literal ghosts of their forsaken dreams.

She emphasized that cinema has the power to unite people across borders. Responding to a media query, she expressed interest in filming in India in the future, describing the country as a fascinating creative landscape. She also shared that she enjoys blending multiple genres within a single film.

Despite representing different cultures, all the filmmakers agreed that cinema remains one of the strongest mediums to bring like-minded people together and foster global connections.

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Written, directed, and produced by Khalid Hasan Khan (New York Film Academy, Los Angeles), SCREEN LOCKED unfolds inside a shadowy, analog therapy room where celebrated Digital Addiction Therapist Dr. T.R. Mavani (played by Alyy Khan, who also co-produces) takes on his most challenging patient yet – Addy (rising star Atabik Mohsin), a reclusive teenager whose life has been swallowed by screens.

Using a daring mix of Freudian and Jungian techniques laced with calculated provocation, Dr. Mavani wages psychological warfare against Addy’s digital fortress, while an unseen “digital enemy” lurks in the shadows, threatening to derail the entire recovery process.

The film’s chilling tagline sums up its intensity: “When A Doctor Talks, A Dreamer Listens, but a Digital Enemy Whispers with a Roar.”

Khalid Hasan Khan, whose previous works have collectively won over 20 international awards and screened at more than 70 prestigious festivals worldwide, calls SCREEN LOCKED his most personal and urgent project yet. “In an age where we’re all one notification away from losing ourselves, this film asks a terrifying question: what happens when the screen starts fighting back?” the filmmaker stated.

Alyy Khan, known for his powerful performances in global projects, added, “Playing Dr. Mavani felt like stepping into the eye of a digital storm. Khalid’s script is fearless – it doesn’t just show addiction, it makes you feel trapped inside it.”

Currently in the global film-festival submission circuit, SCREEN LOCKED is already generating strong buzz among industry insiders as one of the most provocative psychological thrillers of the season.

The official trailer drops soon. Stay tuned to Approach Bollywood for the exclusive first look.

About the Team Khalid Hasan Khan is an award-winning director whose credits include the Delhi International Film Festival double-winner HOTAL, the multi-award-winning vaccine-hesitancy short Unmasking, and acclaimed documentaries Murder of Mystic, Twinkling Without Shining, and Barefoot with Godfather of Soccer. His films have been officially selected across Australia, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

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In a welcome speech, by the Dean FASS-FJWU, Dr Sarwet Rasul, appreciated the Swiss embassy’s #InspireInclusion initiative, for hosting the event at FJWU Auditorium, Rawalpindi.

After the screening, the ambassador of Switzerland in Pakistan, H.E. Georg Steiner, in his keynote address, expressed his views, “we had the privilege to watch a wonderful, very inspiring film this morning, about inclusion. We believe that inclusion of women in our society is of utmost importance and of course, for the great importance of our society.”

Khalid Hasan Khan, the filmmaker of Barefoot, explained the premise of the interfaith soccer film, by mentioning, Carl Gustav Jung, ‘no tree can grow to Heaven unless it’s roots reach down to Hell’, Barefoot is a string of stories of such discouraged youth, from Khyber to Karachi, belonging to footballers of Christian, Hindu and Zoroastrian communities along with soccer players from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who play against the intolerable odds, in a discriminatory ordeal, he added, ‘you have to be in the development hell, to get glory in life’. He elaborated that “when sports organisations fail to nurture the talent, godfathers step in, to the rescue of dreams of young sportspersons. Khan cited the famous line, ‘whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.’ This ‘kindness of strangers’ is ‘humanity’ that helps young men and women to survive and thrive in the arena of their dreams.”

In the end, Dr Abida Sharif, Head from the Sociology Department of FJWU, thanked the guests and the audience for the “highly engaged session.”

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The short film Time Sentence, set in the distant future, is a science fiction courtroom drama, where an artificial intelligence-driven judge, Frank Scaler is hearing the case of an accused, who is a time traveler, where Dayajeet Singh, state prosecutor tells him that this court gives verdict on the very first hearing. John Arch, the defense counsel reveals that machines have overtaken power of human judgement in legal arena long ago.

The former Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, an outspoken human rights activist, Retired Justice Wajihauddin Ahmed appreciated the innovatively creative effort of the film team. He said, “This film will leave a deep impact on the minds of audiences at the national and international level. It’s a tragic story.” Noted intellectual and political analyst, Saeed Khawar addressed the audience, “There are serious hidden messages in the film. Such bold story-telling is missing these days”. The film’s director, Khalid Hasan Khan, said, “Technology is an extension of human habits.”

The director elaborated, “the film explores the premise, how technology brings its own implicit laws and society fails to catch up with its evolutionary development. The story of this film, was very well-written by the famous poet Zulfiqar Adil, covering aspects of law, justice, human aspirations and unbridled usage of artificial intelligence by the human society; its probable implications for humanity that are being caused by the excessive indulgence in AI.”

The cast of the film includes Shamim Shirazi, Dara Shikoh Hashmi, Syed Muaz Shah, Rafat Jabeen, Talal Farhat and Mohammad Ali. Imran Sheikh and Syed Ovais Ali are the executive producers of this short film. The filmmaker of Time Sentence, Khalid Hasan Khan, is a Hollywood graduate who has won twenty-four awards from the international film festivals circuit, for his fiction and non-fiction projects. 

The office bearers of the Karachi Press Club presented Sindhi ajraks to the chief guests.

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Having already bolstered its position as a leading content powerhouse, Banijay has over the years nurtured a creative footprint spanning 21 territories and playing home to 130 labels. In this latest phase of transformative growth, it will unite the creative and commercial strengths of two unique companies to build a differentiated offering in the media and entertainment space.

Founded in 2013, Milan-based Balich Wonder Studio is a creative player which has quickly grown to be a prestigious live event creator and service provider, tapping into a broad range of institutional ceremonies, brand and destination experiences. Firmly on the map globally as a leading reference and go-to for premium live entertainment events, it is credited for the organisation of the highest number of Olympic Games Ceremonies in the world and other prestigious events such as the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup; Pan American Games Ceremonies in Perù 2019 and Chile 2023; 2016 Rio Olympic Games Ceremonies (CC2016); and 2014 Sochi Olympic Games closing and Paralympic Games Ceremonies. Additionally, it has delivered a range of exclusive events for top brands including Louis Vuitton, Formula 1, Ferrari, Dolce & Gabbana, UEFA, MSC, Maserati, Bulgari, IWC, Azimut Benetti and many others. Balich Wonder Studio posted revenues of €315m in 2022.

The deal will bring together the creative strengths of Banijay’s global talent collective, led by CEO Marco Bassetti, with the proven expertise of Balich Wonder Studio’s leading live entertainment team, led by its founders Marco Balich, Gianmaria Serra and Simone Merico, the CEO Stefano Core, and Carolina Dotti and Valentina Saluzzi, partner and luxury experts. A complementary union, the transaction will signal a new era and further growth for both businesses.

Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive Officer Banijay: “Complementary to us in its ambition and entrepreneurialism, Balich has risen to be top of its game in the live-event space, and via this acquisition, there is huge potential for further pioneering growth. We feel fortunate the team chose to partner with us on this trailblazing move and can already see how together we can build additional creative and commercial synergies, to cement the collective as a media and entertainment powerhouse. In marrying our businesses, we will create a unique universe of globally-spanning premium content, and the world’s most-watched ceremonies and illustrious events – ultimately, a one-stop-shop for creativity.”

Marco Balich, Chairman Balich Wonder Studio: “We are glad that a world-class player like Banijay has chosen a committed creative team with the ambition to become the world’s most prestigious live entertainment group. Together we feel empowered to accelerate this journey. We share the passion for creativity, the ability to create exceptional content and spread emotions, culture, and beauty as pillars for a better world. Today, after ten years of extraordinary growth, we look forward to an exciting future and we are happy to continue inspiring wonder around the world”. 

As a creative studio, the live entertainment group has also been involved in a number of public destination developments, creating resident and water shows, immersive experiences and landmark icons like the symbol of World Expo – the celebrated “Tree of Life”, and the ‘Whale Shark’, a 30-metre symbol suspended in Doha in 2022 to represent the country’s focus on preserving its natural environment.

Balich Wonder Studio’s healthy portfolio of successful businesses includes two brands, with operating offices in Europe and the Middle East, which is one the fastest growing and most important markets for the high-end event management industry. At the forefront of innovation, the ESG-committed live event specialist has swiftly grown both its offering and its footprint, and with Banijay, is now poised for further creative expansion. 

The acquisition remains subject to customary closing conditions and is anticipated to close in the coming months.

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The deal announced today gives GoQuest Media the worldwide distribution rights (excluding Lithuania and Estonia) for the five-part comedy-drama, the first high-end project of its kind to be produced in Lithuania. Troll Farm, a dramedy about a high-flying executive out for revenge, is directed by Ernestas Jankauskas and stars Gabija Siurbyte, also the co-creator and producer of the series.

Troll Farm (5 x 50’) made its debut earlier this year on LRT, Lithuania’s national broadcaster, and on local streaming platform Telia Play, the first time a local show has been streamed and broadcast simultaneously on television. Troll Farm became the inaugural winner of Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival’s TV Beats Forum, showcased at Content London and Série Series (France), two of the top industry events for presenting in-development international TV productions, and selected among others for Berlinale Series Market Selects 2023. It will also premiere at Transylvania International Film Festival.

After being wrongly fired from Melta Cosmetics, corporate diva Ana is determined to clear her name and prove to the world that she is the scapegoat. With her reputation ruined and her family broken, Ana’s mind screams DESTROY. Destroy Melta Cosmetics. Destroy her pretentious boss, Adomas Gylys. Destroy his two-faced office minions.

Armed with ‘Agriculture for Dummies’ and an extensive corporate career, Ana ends up running two farms. Whilst growing apples and raising chickens work as an excellent cover, Ana’s passion lies with her underground business – Troll Farm, designed to destroy shady corporations. To reclaim her freedom of speech, she creates a fake personality destined to become society’s voice of reason – Judith.

Troll Farm sucks all of Ana’s savings and precious time with her beloved daughter Emily. Hurt by her parents’ separation, Emily turns into a 9-year-old terrorist in a glamorous dress, determined to elbow her way to victory in dance competitions. Getting closer to her daughter will turn out to be just as challenging as getting her revenge – it’s impossible to have it all. And, blinded by her desire for revenge, Ana is slowly turning into the same manipulative beast she’s fighting.

Commenting on the acquisitions Rakesh Vasani, Content Acquisition – Global at GoQuest Media, said, “Troll Farm’s unique story stood out to us from the start. This omnipresent phenomenon of troll farms is a deadly tool that while invisible has the power to dictate our thought process and consequently our decisions. In a story told through actors that look real and could belong in our lives, attracted us to the series. It is also a highly formattable series with its universal concept that visibly exists in today’s world. We’re really excited to work with Gabija and Dansu to bring Troll Farm to a global audience.”

“We are very excited to work with Rakesh and his team. Troll Farm is our first TV series and we have put love and hard work into each shot. We believe that the series can travel well as it tells a universal story”, added Gabija Siurbyte, Head of Dansu Films.

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‘Drishyam’, the Malayalam crime thriller, follows Georgekutty (Mohanlal) and his family, who come under suspicion when Varun Prabhakar, the son of the IG Geetha Prabhakar, goes missing. The 2013 movie was written and directed by Jeethu Joseph. The success of the film led to remakes and sequels in four Indian languages: ‘Drishya’ (2014) in Kannada, ‘Drushyam’ (2014) in Telugu, ‘Papanasam’ (2015) in Tamil, and ‘Drishyam’ (2015). According to the makers, the project marks the first time a Hindi film is being officially remade in the South Korean language.  Pathak, who has acquired multiple language rights for ‘Drishyam’, said he is looking forward to taking the film franchise to South Korea. “I’m excited that the ‘Drishyam’ franchise is being made in Korean, a first for a Hindi film. This will not only increase its reach outside India but will also put Hindi cinema on the global map. All these years, we have been inspired by Korean fare, now they have found a muse in one of our films. What can be a bigger achievement for the Indian film fraternity,” the producer said in a statement. Choi, who co-founded Anthology Studios with ‘Parasite’ star Song Kang-ho and acclaimed director Kim Jee-woon, said he is excited about the collaboration.

 “We are thrilled to have an opportunity to remake a massively successful Hindi film with a touch of originality from Korean cinema. And the remake has greater significance as the first major co-production between South Korea and India.         

Through our partnership, we will be able to bring the best of both Indian and Korean cinema and make a meaningful remake that is as excellent as the original,” Choi added.

US-based Jack Nguyen, former Warner Bros executive, will serve as executive producer on the Korean remake of “Drishyam”. Nguyen has worked with Pathak on WB produced comedy “Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge” and with Choi in the critically-acclaimed blockbuster drama “Age of Shadows” starring Song.

“I have history with and the utmost respect for these highly-regarded producers so it was a natural fit for me to bring them together to collaborate on a great story in ‘Drishyam’. I’m excited to help them make history with this first-of-its-kind Indian-Korean co-production,” added Nguyen.

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