Pakistani film “Joyland,” directed by Saim Sadiq, was shortlisted for the 95th Academy Awards. The film becomes Pakistan’s first selection in Oscar’s International Feature Film Category.
British actor Riz Ahmad also shares Deadline’s report on Joyland’s selection on his Twitter account.
International Feature Oscar Shortlist: Pakistan Makes Cut For First Time With ‘Joyland’; No Major Snubs https://t.co/fzubgAPCEY
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) December 21, 2022
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Tuesday announced its shortlists for the 2023 Oscars in 10 categories. The categories include documentary and international features, a short subject, makeup and hairstyling, original score, original song, animated short, live-action short, sound, and visual effects.
Indian film, RRR, made the shortlist for its famous track Naatu Naatu.
Malala Yousafzai, the film’s executive producer, congratulates Sadiq on Joyland’s shortlisting in Oscar.
“I am so happy for you and your whole team,” Yousafzai told Sadiq while speaking to him on call. “Everyone who was on the screen, behind the screen. You guys have done such a tremendous job. It’s a huge honour for me to be a part of this project. It is such an amazing moment for all the artists and Pakistan.” She added.
Sadiq replied, “Thank you for your work, for playing such an important role. It makes me proud as well. We make a good team.”
Previously, speaking about the selection of his recent offering, the writer and director said, “I am humbled, thankful, and excited about this immense honour to represent Pakistan at the Oscars with a film that I genuinely believe is an honest and humane representation of who we are as people.”
“I hope that the joys and sorrows of these characters foster empathy amongst the viewers in Pakistan and abroad. In the coming months, we will need many duas and good wishes from our people for the road ahead,” he added.
The director said, “Pakistani art has remained grossly underrepresented worldwide. This year, however, has been different. So, I’ll take this moment to feel hopeful. I wish the best of luck to Joyland and Pakistan.”
Producers Apoorva Guru Charan and Sarmad Sultan Khoosat said, “The journey of making Joyland brought together the most beautiful team from around the world. We are grateful to the committee for this entry. We get to share Joyland with a larger audience”.
The complete and final list of Oscar nominees is set to be announced on January 24, 2023.
Other films Nominated in the same Category:
Other films in the same category include Argentina’s Argentina, 1985, Austria’s Corsage, Belgium’s Close, Cambodia’s Return to Seoul, Denmark’s Holy Spider, France’s Saint-Omer, Germany’s All Quiet on the Western Front, Ireland’s The Quiet Girl, Mexico’s Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths, Morocco’s The Blue Caftan, Poland’s EO, South Korea’s Decision to Leave and Sweden’s Cairo Conspiracy.
